Daily number of Covid cases in state likely to cross 40,000; restrictions to be tightened, decision on Wednesday

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The daily number of Covid cases in the state is likely to cross 40,000. Experts warn that the number of cases will rise sharply in the first week of September. Restrictions will be tightened in case the disease spreads.

A review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday will assess the situation. An online meet was scheduled to convene today but as the chief minister is in Kannur, a decision was taken late last night to convene the meet after he reach the state tomorrow.

The Test Positivity Rate (TPR) is more than 15% for more than a week. The plan is to impose stricter restrictions as a full lockdown may be required again if this situation continues. Strict restrictions aimed at keeping the TPR below five per cent were completely lifted before Onam.

It will take at least two weeks to start seeing the reflection of the Onam rush. It is estimated that the number of patients could exceed four lakh if the new clusters are not blocked by then. At present, more than 1.75 lakh people are undergoing treatment. The state has medical facilities for two and a half lakh people at a time.