India’s Covid-19 fatality rate has declined to 2.72 percent. This is lower than the fatality rates observed in many other countries in the world.

Union Health Ministry said, the focus of Covid-19 management in the country has been to keep the fatalities low. It was 2.82 percent a month ago. Health Ministry also noted that 30 states and Union Territories have a fatality rate lower than the national average. Manipur, Nagaland, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Mizoram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sikkim have zero fatality rate.

The recovery rate has improved to 62.42 per cent. In 18 states and UTs the recovery rates are higher than the national average.The ministry said with the support and guidance of the Central government, the states and union territories have taken many steps like mapping of communities to focus on high-risk groups like the elderly/aged and population with comorbidities, and providing special care to them.

It said, there is a focus on the improvement of quality of medical care for coronavirus patients. The country-wide strong network of ASHAs and ANMs along with Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres have helped ineffective surveillance and contact tracing of the cases, including the lakhs of migrants and returnees, it said. Britain's Prince Charles has lauded India's 'sustainable' way of life amid coronavirus pandemic saying that the country's diversity and resilience are a personal inspiration for him and much to teach all. Addressing India Global week 2020 through video link, he said India's philosophies and values have emphasized a sustainable way of life and a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. Prince Charles also said that he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the importance of "sustainable living".
 

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has set up an independent panel to review its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response by governments. The announcement follows strong criticism by US President Donald Trump, which accused the WHO of being China-centric.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf have agreed to head the panel. The co-chairs will select the other members. The panel will then provide an interim report to an annual meeting of health ministers in November and present a substantive report next May.WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the magnitude of this pandemic has virtually touched everyone and deserved a commensurate evaluation. More than 1.2 crore people have been infected by the novel coronavirus globally and over 5.48 lakh have died.US has formally informed WHO that it is withdrawing from the UN agency in a year's time.