THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that the state's health department has sufficient facilities so that it can provide treatment to COVID patients even if the number of COVID patients gets increased by 8 times. Speaking after the daily COVID analysis meet, the CM said that there is no need to worry as far as COVID treatment in the state is concerned.

"We were able to do well on various indicators because of the cooperation of the people and the sincere work of all the staff members involved in fighting COVID," said Vijayan.

"We are one state where COVID treatment is free in the government sector while in the private sector, there is a fixed tariff. Our present aim is to keep the death rate as low as possible and it stands at 8 deaths per 10 lakh population," he added.

Meanwhile, even with daily number of cases rising and with the harvest festival Onam beginning and Thiru Onam being celebrated on Sunday, there have been relaxations.

Under this, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation will operate services across the state till Wednesday.

"To have the Onam lunch is a sort of right for all Keralites and we have decided to distribute pension and salaries in advance, even when the financial situation is not that bright. Ex-gratia payments will be made to employees in the cashew sector besides food kits also will be given, as they have no work for long," said Vijayan.