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
WE ARE CELEBRATING TIPPU JAYANTHI TO Learn the world between freedom fighter (TIPPU) and Betrayers(RSS)
thats it
Sanghi Court Nyayamoorthy...Nyaya Moorthiyagiye ulidide
nor was shivaji but they celebrate...
RSS and BJP dont want to celebarate bcoz they were helping british rule and tippu SULTAN fought with thm which this rss didnt like bcoz they needed british rule bcoz they used to get everything frm the british.. from tippu they didnt got anything thtz y they hate him we all INDIAN respect APJ ABDUL KALAM he was the great president of INDIA himself said tippu SULTAN first person to bring missile technology to INDIA
commet #3 i agree with
commet #4 awesome lines said by TIPPU SULTAN SHER -E- HINDUSTAN
JAI HIND
For 100% sure this so called Chief justice of Karnataka High court is a agent of RSS. Let him to study the history first before commenting on Tippu sultan.
No Tipu was a cricket player. ROFL .... High court's lowest comment ever.
Very good high court.
The chief Justice should talk carefully.
He says Tippu fought his opponents to safeguard his interest.
- The CJ should know every ruler should safeguard his interest which is to protect his state.
- The CJ should also think, how many Kings in our state or Indian history who fought in the battle front and did the ultimate sacrifice.
- He was the great God fearing King, who started awareness of freedom and fought wars. He laid the foundation for freedom.
- Our people thought it is impossible to fight against British,
- But he is the King who taught to sacrifice for the state/country and he taught DYING ONCE AS MARTYR IS BETTER THAN LIVING IN SLAVERY FOR 100 YEARS.
- It is taught as SHER JAISA EK DIN DA ZINDAKI SAU SAL GEEDAD KA ZINDAGI SE BEHATTAR HAI.
- This CJ is from Bengal, he does not know history of Karnataka.
WE ARE ALL FIGHTING FOR THE FREEDOM. TO EAT TO DRESS TO LIVE.
WE ARE ALL FREEDOM FIGHTERS AGAINST BJP RSS SANG PARIVAR.
He had a high court during his time. All non BJP ARE FREEDOM FIGHTER now. We all need FREEDOM FROM BJP.
Now we know RSS are the freedom fighters....good luck...
For your information Tippu is the one who fought for our freedom from British rule...he gave up his soul for that purpose....but these RSS just helped british to stay here.
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