Special caution needed in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi; no need to tighten restrictions in state, says Health Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Health Department has said that although the current situation in Kerala is not alarming, special caution is needed in the cities of Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. According to Health Minister Veena George, the number of COVID cases in the state has been increasing since last month. She said that the health department started making preparations as soon as it noticed a modest rise in COVID cases.

Guidelines were issued soon after the increase in COVID cases was noticed. A meeting of state medical officers was held and it was decided to take necessary action. Special attention is needed in Thiruvananthapuram Ernakulam districts, especially in the cities. Most of the COVID cases are reported in these districts. The meeting decided to provide adequate hospital facilities.

The Health Minister said that there was no need to tighten the restrictions in the current situation. The Health Department and the Department of Medical Education will coordinate activities.

"Hospitals should provide special facilities for COVID patients. Non-serious COVID patients should be treated in the districts themselves without being referred to the medical college. For this, a fixed number of beds should be reserved for COVID patients. Oxygen beds, ICUs and ventilators should be ensured as per existing Plan A and B. Steps should be taken to make sure that if dialysis patients get infected with COVID, their dialysis does not get interrupted," the minister said.

"It is recommended that only those with symptoms of COVID should undergo test for COVID. Special consideration should be given to the seriously ill, elderly and pregnant women. In case a patient tests positive for COVID, treatment should be ensured in the treating hospital itself. Hospital staff and those coming to the hospital must wear masks properly. People with serious illnesses and pregnant women should also wear masks. The vast majority of current active COVID 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," she said.

"Among the results obtained so far, the JN-1 omicron variant was confirmed in only one sample. The person has recovered from the disease. The health department has ensured the availability of isolation wards, rooms, oxygen beds, ICU beds and ventilators in hospitals," the minister added.