Kerala reports 41,971 COVID-19 cases; pathogen strain more virulent, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan

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With Kerala's new COVID-19 positive cases touching nearly 42,000 on Saturday and over four lakh people undergoing treatment for the virus, the Kerala government decided to form ward level committees in each panchayat to ensure proper COVID-19 treatment activities.

The state was facing more challenges in the present second wave, as the pathogen strain was more virulent and was spreading fast, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters.

He said the role played by local governments in controlling and preventing the first wave of the Covid outbreak was unparalleled.

"During this second phase also, they have an important proactive role to play by being at the forefront of Covid prevention," he said.

The Chief Minister, who held a meeting with representatives of local bodies, also directed them to mobilise the people and use all their resources to form a strong defence in the fight against Covid by joining hands with the government.

"There is a shortage of medical facilities in some local bodies. There are not enough CFLTCs or CLTCs or centres for those who cannot afford treatment at home. Such issues must be addressed urgently.

Suitable places to open Covid treatment centres should be identified and prepared immediately. As part of this, adequate health workers, volunteers and cleaners should be found," he said.

Ward level committees should be formed in all the wards," he said.

Kerala recorded 41,971 fresh cases on Saturday, pushing the COVID-19 caseload to 18,66,827, while the toll mounted to 5,746 with 64 more deaths.

Active cases stood at 4.17 lakh and at least 27,456 people were cured today, taking the total recoveries to 14,43,633.

In the last 24 hours,1,48,546 samples were tested and the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) was 28.25 per cent.

So far, 1,69,09,361 samples have been tested. At the panchayat and municipality levels, a core team should be formed.

"Places where the TPR is over 28 per cent, more caution needs to be extended,"Vijayan said.

Enough ambulancesshould be ensured at treatment centres, he said, adding motor bikes can never replace ambulances, referring to an incident in which a seriously ill patient was transported on a bike from Punnapra domiciliary centre in Alappuzhadistrict to save the person's life as ambulance was not available.

"A 24 hour control room is also proposed to be opened at the local body levels which should have details of covid treatment centres.

They should have medical teams. Doctors working in the government and private sector can be included in the local medical team." Ward level committees should ensure that no one goes without food or medicines especially during the lockdown, the chief minister said.

With the possibilityof the virus spreading high among the migrant workers, necessary care should be taken, he said.

With lockdown coming into force in the state from today, the chief minister said the response of the people on the first day was satisfactory.

People should not come out unnecessarily from their homes. Only in emergencysituations, will a person be allowed to travel outside the district.

"They will have to get an online pass for travel. Only those who are in dire need to travel should apply for the online pass. One can apply for the pass at https://pass.bsafe.kerala.gov.in/." "Domestic workers and labourers under the essential services category who do not have an identity card can apply online.

Their employers can also apply for them. Once the travel permit is obtained, the pass can be downloaded from this website itself," he said.

A self-declaration was sufficient for those going for vaccination and for those going to the nearest shops to buy essential items.

"A sample declaration is also available on this website and this can be prepared on a white paper in this format," Vijayan added.

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