E-Paper
Covid-19 cases on rise in Kerala, test positivity rate crosses 15%
Kerala has reported the highest number of Covid-19 cases after Maharashtra. Symptoms are mild and hospitalisation rate is low this time
After a 4-month gap, Covid-19 cases are increasing steadily in Kerala but in many cases, symptoms are mild and patients turn negative fast and hospitalisation rate is also low, said health officials adding that the health ministry has started a vigorous vaccination drive in the state.
On Thursday, the state reported 3,162 fresh cases, 12 deaths and 18,345 active cases. Friday’s tally will be out after 8pm. The state is contributing a lion’s share of Covid-19 fatalities in the country now. On Friday, India reported 12,847 new cases and 14 deaths. The national test positivity rate is 2.47% while it crossed 15% in Kerala. The highest number of cases have been reported from Maharashtra followed by Kerala.
Health experts said there is no need for concern as the state health infrastructure is strong and almost all cases are being reported. But they asked the government to ramp up tests and increase awareness to avert another wave of pandemic. Though the government re-introduced Covid-19 protocol last month, there is laxity on the part of people across the state, they said.
“We need to study exact reasons for deaths. We need a detailed death audit to understand who is dying because of Covid-19 and what is the triggering factor. We need to study exact reasons of death so that we can formulate evidence-based preventive measures,” said Indian Medical Association (IMA) Kerala chapter research cell vice-chairman Dr Rajeev Jayadevan.
Health officials said in many cases infection is mild due to vaccine and only people with co-morbidities seek treatment in hospitals. Health minister Veena George said there is no need for any concern as the government is monitoring the situation. As schools opened, officials fear there can be a spurt in cases. Health authorities have asked students and schools to maintain strict Covid-19 protocols.
The health ministry has issued an advisory telling people not to skip their booster doses. It said after taking two doses, people generally feel that they developed enough immunity but this was not right. The ministry has also begun a special vaccination drive for booster doses. “People who have taken both doses are skipping the precautionary dose. It is not a good trend. We have statistics that those who died, majority are unvaccinated and with comorbid conditions,” said the minister.
“A close look at statistics shows cases are increasing steadily. There is no need to panic but we have to increase our vigilance. It seems people have forgotten about mask, hand sanitisation and physical distancing,” said N C Krishna Prasad, who has been processing Covid-19 data since the pandemic began two years ago.
