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
I agree with you but, if something happens to her family by these hoodlums, it will be a huge news, not only Karnataka will lose credibility, but these hoodlums will gain reputation and notoriety, which would be very unfortunately.
It would mean that Karnataka has fallen to a level of dystopia. international news, will have field day adding bad repo to our nation.
All life be it farmer, beggar or star has to be protected as citizens..
Actually the best way would be to arrest the people starting such campaign’s and issuing bounty’s.
And what about the police, law and order, constitution?
The movie glorifies Rajputs, there bravery and Valery is highlighted.
there is not even a single frame shared by both the actors.
And India currently has bigger issues than this to be tackled
Dear Gopal, "no offence but If you do some research before putting forth such statement
you will find out that this is a real issue
- here is a link from Hindustan time also for your reference
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/padmavati-row-haryana-bjp-leader-announces-rs-10-crore-reward-for-beheading-deepika-padukone-bhansali/story-SNu3xwOyMQmJU3fNzbSVyL.html
First of all this is extremely wrong from an elected individual, its not from a teacher
scholar etc it is from Haryana’s BJP chief media coordinator Suraj Pal..
It appears to be a diversion tactic,
so that focus is changed from actual issues.
Padmavati producer includes Viacom company which is owned by Mukesh amabani.
Now first of all this action done by this representative - is wrong lets agree to it.
As for fatwa ( not patwa) let me enlithen you. Fatwa means opinion in arabic language , So if you have an opinion it can also be called as your fawa in arabic…
Lastly there has always been a huge cry on any fatwa’s issued, I am surprised your comment meant that this fatwa went unnoticed.
But generally this fatwas are given by idiots who don’t have any bite but only barks
whear as if a d&* is capable of biting then precautions have to be taken for protection of the intimidated individual."please think with open mind and without color glasses, there is no need to polorasie everything
DKS, please check what is happening with poor farmers. Deepika is celebrity & she can afford security. When she has not asked for security, why the hell r u bothered. There is no better work these politicians just to show up in media & become HERO. Y is karnataka govt bothered? she is all time in Mumbai. Let her shell out money & get security. Why tax payers money is wasted for such celebrity who loot public by displaying movie and cinemas. JAGO JANTHA JAGO !
I understand films have been made in the past based on Padmini. Kamonar Agun or Flames of Flesh (1930), Maharani Padmini (1964) in Hindi, Chittoor Rani Padmini (1963) in Tamil starring Sivaji Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala. Wonder how these stories were told ! Surely Bhansali would have glamourised it, going by his past ventures !
At this rate, we will have curbs of freedom of speech and we will all need police protection. Wonder what is happening to the sense and sensibilities of our people. No tolerance, no patience with 'my way or the highway' attitude. This fanatical attitude will soon destroy the nation!
Who is D K Shivakumar? Is he Judge of supreme court ? what is his jurisdiction? What did he do when his govt was directly responsible for Suicide of honest officer like D K Ravi and DYSP Ganapathi? Shameless people in power
Any difference between bounty and fatwa. leaves me wondering. where are we heading
Hell with film Padmavathi. Karni sena and BJP should intensify protest. VHP, RSS, Sri Rama sena, ABVP should join the protest for ban
Looks like DK already have some clue. So raising protection request. Hope it is not from internal news where they want to do something to say something against BJP. But he never raises concern on Patwa raised by Muslim groups. Strange???
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