After keeping the coronavirus under control for just a short time, the viral case burden has risen alarmingly in Kerala in the past week, forcing health authorities to review containment strategies. State Health Minister KK Shailaja admitted on Sunday that it is a testing moment for Kerala and that cases may increase dramatically next month.
More than 40,000 cases were reported in the last week and the positivity rate has risen to 11.9% while the national average is below 8%. “Our strategy was correct from day one and we significantly contained the deaths. Our death rate is still below one percent. But in recent times the cases are increasing and it was expected. It is the second wave of the virus, ”he said.
The minister asked people not to lower their guard at this critical point and avoid large concentrations to avoid high death rates. He said the relaxations during the Onam holidays and the ongoing protest by opposition parties were the main reasons for the current increase. The state is witnessing protests seeking the resignation of Minister KT Jaleel, who was questioned in connection with the sensational gold smuggling case.
The minister said that the state with a high population density (860 people per square km) and with a high population of the elderly (more than 15 percent of the population is over 60) was an easy target, but it managed well. , slowing down the mortality rate (678 registered victims). He held a high-level meeting to review the situation. The health department has asked asymptomatic patients to remain isolated in their homes and not crowd hospitals. In the active cases of Covid-19 (56,709) the state is now in the fifth position in the country.
According to health experts, the worrying thing is that in Kerala, Covid-19 cases peaked when other states show a downward trend and expect the situation to continue until the end of October. “The reverse quarantine was largely successful. Despite the increase in cases, the state managed the death rate considerably, ”said Dr. B Iqbal, chair of the expert committee for the management of Covid-19.
On Sunday, the state reported 7,445 new cases, bringing the total to 1.75,384. Recovered patients amount to 1,17,921 and active cases to 56,709. With 21 new victims, the death toll has risen to 678. The state has also increased testing with 54,493 tests taking place on Sunday. The total number of tests has risen to 27,71,533.
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