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.
Last week, Mr Modi had not only urged the state governments to take action against those who take law into their hands in the name of cow protection, but also called them anti-social elements.
Comments
Cows need Z+ Security.....
Buffalo's will be worshipped on father's day.....ha ha.....
Can cow god mate on street? Please build Goshaalays before making Sauchaalay......other cow Vidhya balan......ha ha
Mr Pumpwell,,,,,Pls go to Bhatkal Police station, and find out ..who placed the Meat bag in the Nagabana recently..... All criminals.... They themselves do all kinds of anti social acts and blame the other community members...
All these RSS supported goonda gangs are worried of PM's statement. In the name of Gow rakshak they used to make
a very good money. They themselves used to transport the cow and sell the cow. They used to get the haftha from each truck or van who transports cow. Now they worried about their business.
This sharan is doing a lots of money in the name of \hindusm\". These are the real anti hindus. They are spoiling good religion name for their benefit. First of all intelligent department has to check these goons leaders , from where they get huge money and vehicle for their illegal operations."
Let first chaddi Indian army protect our Kashmir, later they are welcome to save your so called \GO MATHA\"."
I really dont understand why GOD need protection that too an ARMY.Being a GOD why can not he save himself.Then how can a GOD protect his beliver's like Sharan.
i thank D Souza but he is unaware that even in HIndu authentic scriptures eating cow meat is holy not an offense
these days criminals are heroes of the nation , definition of nationalist has been changed to RSS , HA HA HA
In Islam drinikg alchohol and selling is prohibited equally ,why you Govt export it without any cowraskshak firewall and restrict inside India , dont you think is a joke , its a created job to kill with licence the humans to save animal , this must be stopped
Pumpwell is partner with Somnath in beef exports ... May be he is losing his profit... but everything will be EXPOSED in near future.
mr sharan quickly go and break the leg of those bjp leaders who export your so called gou matha meat
Dear Sharan Bhai,
Also write him to stop exporting beef to worldwide....
Do you think that government of India exporting beef without killing the cows, in such case it is more painful to Gomaatha, Please don't be stupid stop making drama in the name of cow...
In foreign countries every hypermarket and supermarkets selling Indian beef..from where these beef coming could you ask Mr. Modi about it and to order for a inquiry on it....or let him announce that flesh of Gomaatha only for export not for self use..
If you need more information... we will start a photo campaign of the Indian beef counters in different countries of the world...
We need soldiers to protect cow meat export from various airports and seaports.....
I think SHARAN PUMPwell is ignorant of his own scriptures...
The Aryans of the Rig Veda did KILL Cows for purposes of food and ate beef in abundantly clear from Rig Veda itself. In RV (X86.14) Indra says : They COOK for one 15 plus twenty OXEN.
The RV (X91.14) says that for AGNI were sacrificed horses, bulls, oxen, BARREN COWS and rams. From Rig Veda (X.72.6) It appears that the COW was killed with a Sword or AXE.
He is also ignorant of the indian law too..
How can people follow this IGNORANT & Dig their own hell to themselves as well as their families (Just lyk NAMO leader who was on the run and now behind bars without any bail.. He may getaway but his family is suffering also the family of the victims are suffering. How come these intelligent people does not recognize the evil in this?????????
Mr. sharan,
DO you agree law and order is equal for all. Even if you belongs to rowdy dal or a common man, who gave you permission to assault or humiliate someone in the name of cow.. Be human first then be a rakshak to humans first other animals comes in later stage. Think like a man not like animal.
Dont make your own rules. be cool man..
who are u to protect the cow and take law in your hand
police will take care, why u people behave like goondaas in mangalore karnataka
if cow is holy ... then it is only for ur hindhu religion not applicable for others
need to protect our country and women from rapists then go for special cow , u request to bring the army to karnataka for saving cow.. u r good joker of mangalore
Dear Brother Sharan,
Cows as you were described as 'GOD' need food not the ARMY. Please visit north India and see how your GODS Been treated. Dear Sharan please send some food stuffs to Rajasthan so that we can save your GODS.
Let's stop consuming the cheap Indian exported cow meat
also reminded the PM of an existing provision in section 40 of CrPC that empowers citizens to arrest those who commit cognizable offences.
So Mangaloreans have the Liberty to Arrest Mr Pumpwell for Attacking Muslims and committing many offences in Past as per his crpc40 section?
Viren.. good to see you against Modi...ha ha..
Sharan ....will this letter reach the pm...?
Since govt. has failed to protect minorities from RSS terrorism due to shortage of police force in the state/country then according to Pimpwell logic Muslims should form Minority Army to protect people from RSS terrorism.
He said, It's holy animal. Can some one elaborate how it is HOLY????
Mr pump well if you feel cow is God then better make a round to panambur or baikampady area and see how cows are lying on the road. With food ,
I request all muslims to stop eating beef. Big full stop. We can survive in other ways.
But if we do it..
Will the so called cow protectors promise us they will stop this violence and mess.?
Will the govt stop exporting cow meat?
Will they agree that they will not being another animal as holy god after this?
Lets finish it totally in a decent wAy.
I am in gulf, the indian beef is on cheap offer price now, but still i dont buy it. Its my way of protest against indian beef exporters and govt. any indian meat i dont buy.
Viren Kotian, Udupi,
You need to protect? Do you have any idea about those protected cows in Rajastan and Gujrat? Cows are dying there without food, dead bodies are stinking there and your Gau protectors are not to be seen taking care of them.
Tell your pumpwell to send his Dal to those place to clean up the mess.
A day will come when all these Bajrangi/Hindutva street fighters will teach a lesson to their own masters. That will be the end of RSS.
Good move by Sharan Pumpwell. Why we need to protect? let the centre send Army and shoot down cattle transporters. Anti nationals will start protesting. Let the Army curb the protesters too just like they did in Kashmir.
As per ICRA, Indian Buffalo meat(read as Beef) exports from India to reach to Rs.40,000/- crores in five years reported Business Standard newspaper. PM Modi has to look after the interests of exporters mostly upper caste Hindus and Jains.
Wait a minute....1st of all which law says not to kill the cow...Karnataka govt. Or central govt. Never banned the cow slaughter...... If the law is from ur religious book then it only apply to those who believe in it.... Not us........don't bark anything in media.......youngsters r watching u
First let them protect our women from rapist, law also don't permit to rape or take law in your hand, then what law are you talking about.if you are really worried about the law then allow the police to their work instead of you guys taking law in hand and torturing the innocent.
First let them protect our women from rapist, law also don't permit to rape or take law in your hand, then what law are you talking about. if you are really worried about the law then allow the police to their work instead of you guys taking law in hand and torturing the innocent.
Can any one explain the income of Sharan Pumpwel? what is his monthly income? what is his business? How he earn money?
Eligible for next PM post.
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