Wear masks at hospitals, state well prepared amid increase in Covid cases: Minister Veena George

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amid an increase in Covid cases, Health Minister Veena George said that there is no need to worry. "An increase in covid cases was seen in the month of November itself. Based on that, the Health Department had taken measures by holding meetings at the ministerial level.," Veena said.

'Guidelines have been issued. State Medical Officers' Conference was also instructed to take action. Those with symptoms were instructed to get tested for covid and send samples for genomic sequencing. Moreover, the covid test was increased this month. There is an adequate stock of safety equipment and medicines. Instructions have been given to prepare more security equipment and test kits' - the minister said.

Veena George said that monitoring will be strengthened in the state. "The Department of Health and the Department of Medical Education will carry out coordination activities. Hospitals should provide special facilities for covid patients. Covid patients with less severe symptoms should be treated in the districts themselves without being referred to the medical college. For this, fixed beds should be reserved for covid patients. Oxygen beds, ICUs and ventilators should be ensured as per existing Plan A and B. Dialysis patients should take steps to avoid interruption of dialysis if they get infected with covid.", she said.

"Only those with symptoms of covid should be tested for covid. Special consideration should be given to the seriously ill, elderly and pregnant women. In case of covid positive, treatment should be ensured in the treating hospital itself. Hospital staff and hospital visitors must wear masks properly. People with serious illnesses and pregnant women should also wear masks."

"The vast majority of current active cases are at home with mild symptoms. All but one of the deceased were over 65 years of age. They also had serious co-morbidities such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and cancer. The JN-1 omicron variant was confirmed in only one sample. That person was cured."

"Availability of isolation wards, rooms, oxygen beds, ICU beds and ventilators in hospitals has been ensured. From December 13 to 16, an online mock drill was conducted involving 1192 government and private hospitals to ensure their availability. There are 1957 beds with oxygen facility, 2454 ICU beds and 937 ICU beds with ventilator facility,” said the minister.