Health experts repeat that there is community transmission in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While the number of coronavirus cases is increasing in Kerala, health experts are urging the authorities to introduce more restrictions in order to contain the outbreak. According to them, the state has already entered the community transmission stage and more relaxations will only lead to an increase in the number of cases through local transmission. At present, around 120 people who have contracted the disease through contact are undergoing treatment at various hospitals in the state.

Meanwhile, the government has repeated that there is no community transmission in the state. According to the government, though a number of persons have contracted the disease from unidentified sources, there is nothing alarming regarding this as there is no exponential increase in the number of cases through local transmission. However, several doctors who are at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19 have accepted that there is community transmission in the state.

Several people in the state have a feeling that only those coming from abroad or from other states are testing positive for COVID-19. The state can combat the pandemic only by accepting that there is community transmission and making the public aware of the seriousness of the issue.

The inability to identify the source of infection is the basis of community transmission. Those people who contracted the disease through contact might have developed the disease from unknown sources. Such unknown sources can transmit the virus in the society. This is how samples of some deceased persons have tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, several health workers who haven't come across COVID patients too have tested positive for the virus. This is a clear indication that there is community transmission in the state. However, the presence of virus cannot be determined by many as several people might not experience any symptoms of the disease.