THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Not only lockdown but intense testing of people and tracing of their contacts are also equally important in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Kerala, which was the first state in the country to report a coronavirus infection in late January, has also prepared a time table for coming out of the lockdown and there would be district-specific strategies to tackle the situation while the number of cases is on the decline.

In efforts to curb the spreading of coronavirus infections, the country is under a 21-day lockdown till April 14 and many states have sought an extension amid the rising number of cases. Kerala has proposed extending the lockdown and gradual phasing out after proper assessment.

A total of 179 patients have been cured of COVID-19 in the state. At present, there are 194 persons under treatment at hospitals across the state.

A total of 1,16,941 persons are under observation at various districts across the state. Of these 1,16,125 are at homes and 816 are at hospitals. 176 persons were admitted to hospitals on Sunday. Samples 14,989 symptomatic persons were sent for testing, and results of 13,802 returned negative.

The government is closely monitoring the situation and there would be region-specific or district-specific strategies in place to tackle the outbreak.

The number of patients is coming down in the state. The Kerala model seems to have flattened the curve, with only two cases reported on April 12.

Back in January, Three students, who had returned from the Chinese city of Wuhan, were tested positive. They were also the first such cases, to be reported in January-February period, and have recovered. Wuhan was the epicentre of coronavirus infections before it spread to other countries.

Later, there was a second wave of infections in Kerala.

According to the state finance minister Thomas Isaac, the possibility of a third wave has also been considered for the exit strategy.

"A lot of Malayalees are expected to come back from outside the state. We will welcome them... before that, we want to stamp out all COVID cases in Kerala. Flatten the curve completely so that when these people from outside, they will be quarantined, they will be tested and only then they will be able to integrate with the rest of the community," he said.

The Kerala government's measures, including extensive testing and efforts to trace people who came in contact with coronavirus-infected persons, have helped in curbing the spreading of infections.

The experience with Nipah outbreak

The state's public healthcare system has also been appreciated in various quarters. Kerala's methods have been praised by Washington Post-an American media. The media has quoted the state's health minister KK Shailaja that Kerala prepared for the worst and was hopeful at the same time.

The media also quoted WHO representative Henk Bekedam that the early tests conducted by the state is a model for the nation.