Kerala Health Minister urges caution as state reports 182 Covid-19 cases

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George urged people to be vigilant after 182 cases of Covid-19 infection reported in the state.

Covid-19 is back in the news with countries like Hong Kong and Singapore reporting a surge in the Omicron JN1 sub-variants LF.7 and NB.1.8, India Today reported.

These variants are known to be highly infectious thus driving the surge in South East Asian regions.

Veena George, however, expressed confidence in taking on the situation, detailing the state’s preparedness to fight the surge.

The minister told the media that Covid cases are likely to increase in Kerala after reports of large numbers of infections in South East Asian countries, adding that ‘while the severity is not high, self-defence is important.’

Of the 182 cases in May in the state, Kottayam reported highest number of cases at 57 followed by 34 cases in Ernakulam while Thiruvananthapuram registered 30 cases, with the rest of the cases spread across the state.

The minister said that a high-level meeting of the State Rapid Response Team (RRT) was held to review the situation.

The meeting decided to increase testing of symptomatic individuals and hospitals are directed to ensure supply of RTPCR kits and safety equipment.

Meanwhile, masks are now made mandatory in hospitals requiring health workers to wear.

The minister asked those with symptoms such as cold, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath to wear masks.

Also the minster said: ‘It is advisable for the elderly, pregnant women and those with serious illnesses to wear masks in public places and while traveling.’

Urging the public to avoid unnecessary hospital visits, the minister said it is ‘better to wash hands with soap occasionally’, adding ‘Wherever you are treated, you should follow the protocol and ensure treatment in that hospital. The minister also clarified that it is not right to refer to some private hospitals when it is found that they are Covid-19’.