New Delhi, Apr 12: Ramping up efforts to "stamp out" coronavirus cases in the state, Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has said that not only lockdown but intense testing of people and tracing of their contacts are also equally important in the fight against the outbreak.
Kerala, which was the first state in the country to report a coronavirus infection in late January, has also prepared a time table for coming out of the lockdown and there would be district-specific strategies to tackle the situation while the number of cases are on the decline.
In efforts to curb spreading of coronavirus infections, the country is under a 21-day lockdown till April 14 and many states have sought an extension amid rising number of cases. Kerala has proposed extending the lockdown and gradual phasing out after proper assessment.
"Lockdown should go on till we stamp out entire infections. Now, it is not enough to have lockdown. Equally important is that we should have intense testing, tracing and isolating (of people with coronavirus infections)," he said in a telephonic interview.
The government is closely monitoring the situation and there would be region-specific or district-specific strategies in place to tackle the outbreak, he said.
Against the backdrop of the lockdown that has also disrupted economic activities, Isaac said an exit strategy is being prepared and restrictions are being relaxed in certain segments, including agriculture.
Coronavirus India update: State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths on April 12
"The number of patients is coming down (in the state). We hope that in the coming days, the decline will be much more faster," he said during the interview late Friday.
On Saturday, the Kerala government said there were a total of 373 confirmed cases of coronavirus infections and 228 patients were under treatment in various hospitals in the state.
Keeping the trend in the last few days, the number of people under observation has come down to 1,23,490. So far, 14,613 samples from people with symptoms were sent for testing and the results of 12,818 samples have come negative, the government said in a statement on Saturday.
Indicating that there would be a calibrated exit from the lockdown, Isaac said the withdrawal would depend on three main factors, including the count of cases and the percentage of people who are under observation.
While emphasising that people must also be fed during the lockdown period, Isaac also said a time table is being prepared by the state to come out of the lockdown.
Even as strict measures are being implemented to deal with the current situation, the state is also preparing for a possible third wave of coronavirus cases.
Three students, who had returned from the Chinese city of Wuhan, were tested positive. They were also the first such cases, to be reported in January-February period, and have recovered. Wuhan was the epicentre of coronavirus infections before it spread to other countries.
Later, there was a second wave of infections in Kerala.
According to the minister, the possibility of a third wave has also been considered for the exit strategy.
"A lot of Malayalees are expected to come back from outside the state. We will welcome them... before that, we want to stamp out all Covid cases in Kerala. Flatten the curve completely so that when these people from outside, they will be quarantined, they will be tested and only then they will be able to integrate with the rest of the community," he said.
The Kerala government's measures, including extensive testing and efforts to trace people who came in contact with coronavirus-infected persons, have helped in curbing spreading of infections.
The state's public healthcare system has also been appreciated in various quarters.
"People are health conscious. There is a demand for quality healthcare services and the response to this demand has been strengthening of the public healthcare system. We have a robust public healthcare system," the minister emphasised.
On April 9, Isaac tweeted about low level of coronavirus spreading in the state.
"International norm for Covid spread is 2.6 per 1 Covid patient. Total number of primary Covid infected who arrived in Kerala from abroad is 254. The secondary spread has been limited to 91. The international mortality rate is 5.75. With just 2 deaths, rate in Kerala is 0.58," he had tweeted.
Death toll due to the coronavirus increased to 273 and the number of cases to 8,356 in the country on Sunday.
Comments
How do u all know them ?
Haleema you sold heaven and you purchased hell...
Islam teaches us 'A slave Muslim men is better for a Muslim girl than a rich kaafir . Same way a slave Muslim women is better for a Muslim men than a rich kaafira women'
There is no compulsion in religion of islam. We are free to follow any system but final decision with Allah, He will decide who followed his way or who are the loser. May Allah guide us to right path. Ameen
SEE HER FACE, CAN UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION,VIREN YOU ARE RIGHT BUT A SENTENCE IS WRONG SHE WENT FROM BRIGHTNESS TO DARKNESS.
I agree with Fathima's view. It was unfortunate that the girl in the name of love forgot the beauty of Islam.
There are many instances in Mangalore where Muslim girl married a Hindu boy and after a year boy converted to Islam. No wonder if this culminates the same way. Moreover u will find hundreds of famous personalities embracing Islam such as Tony Blair's sister Lauren booth, BBC journalist Yvonne Ridley and so on but u will not find vise versa. Keep hope and prayers and ignore barking kotians.
Let us pray for kotiyan brightness family !!....May Allah protect your family & children in future .... There is chance to convert !
Every Say Ameeen!
Kotiyan Nikk P---Tiye Yaa\\"\"\"\"\"n"
mr kotian do u know how many hindu married muslims converted to islam and workind in uae you study well about islam and later on u will also change
mr kotian do you know how many hindu men who married to muslim converted to islam and working here in dubai, first study about islam and later on u wil change your mind
mr kotian do you know how many hindu men married muslim converted to muslim again and working here in dubai study first about islam then you will also come to islam There is no caste system in islam like brahman harijan etc
No need to judge anybody. Only Allah knows whats the future and how their end will be. It may be good and wonderful than we expect. Better than our life may be, nobody knows. So keep hope . If possible pray for them and dont judge.
Viren @ its opposite its to dark from brightness and secondly its her parent to blame , they didnt teach her what is islam .
Viren chadi by name only we cant judge chadi,its should come through Heart.
Just wait for 3 to 4 month, he will leave her .
i like it ... i like it ... Jai sri ram ... as Viren bhai said ,.. inshallah it will happen soon .. too much of compression and male domination in islam... they treat women as property not as human being ... i heard that shivraj rejected haleema's fathers offer of crore rupees inexchange of his daughtor ... it means guy has not married this gal for money sake .. true love ... they must be protected as they might get attacked from Islamic thugs from coastal ...hahaha... this is just the begining ... there are lakhs of muslim women who want to escape from this sikka patte piece ful religion ...
We as an Indian should be united but look what always we see partitioned. no wonder how easily British invaded India.
I know some of them are happy seeing this news. And i admit it is because of your ignorance you are happy. Almighty has his own concept of human life n death. There are 4 categorised people.
1. Ones who r born muslim and dies as a muslim
2. Ones who r born muslim and dies as a non muslim.
3.Ones born as anon muslim and dies as a non muslim.
4.Ones born as a non muslim and dies as a muslim.
Last category people are the most successful people in this world and hereafter no doubt about it. 2nd category people are the ones destroying their own destiny and lands in great trouble hereafter. No one neither their life-partner nor their parents can save them from torments of hell fire.
May Allah make our death beautiful and grant us to die as a muslim.
May Allah guide her n all of us.
@ viren kotian
quran, islam never force anyone to covert to islam.. in quran Allah says tell the truth to them until they understand the truth
even after that they don't want to accept the islam its up to them.. its our responsibi
Thank you CD for this wonderful news.
And Yes, Viren we all are there with this brave woman. no terrorist can touch her.
Insha Allah more muslim girls will throw away their burkas and accept hinduism in future..
Mr viren ur wrong,,,,, from the brightness to darkness,,,,
Welcome to the light from the darkness Ms haleema. We are with you! hahahah Lol Lol Lol..
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