'Covaxin has the ability to fight mutated variants'; spread of COVID has come down in the state, says CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that the spread of COVID-19 has come down in the state. Within a week, the number of infected persons has dropped by 13 percent. This is the lowest rate since September 15. The CM also said that people should be prepared to receive Covaxin, the vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech, as it has been confirmed that the vaccine has the potential to fight confirmed genetically modified viruses, including the UK variant. At present, the state has enough vaccine stock. 21 lakh doses of vaccine would soon reach the state. The CM informed that the state government has asked the Centre to facilitate the registration process at the CoWin portal, a registration site.

"By now 3.47 lakh health professionals have taken the vaccine besides 1.14 lakh officials who are getting ready for assembly election duty, 91,916 front line Covid warriors and from Monday onwards 30,061 people in the above 60 age category have also taken the vaccine," said Vijayan to the media. He also pointed out that in the coming days more and more Covid vaccination centres would be opened and people can do online registration, while spot registration at vaccine centres would also be available.