THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has the highest rate of COVID patients in the country. The state ranks fourth in the rise in number of patients daily. The current prevalence of the disease in the state is above the national average in terms of test positivity. The increase in the number of new patients in a few days is causing great concern in the state.

The number of patients has increased by thirty per cent in a week when compared to other states in the country. The state was fourth yesterday in the daily count. Only Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have more patients than Kerala. These states carry out double or more tests than Kerala.

Kerala lags far behind in terms of test positivity, which is a comparison of infections based on tests. If the national average for the last four days is 8.8, it has risen to 10.8 in the state. Many North Indian states with better tests are better off than Kerala. Kerala is currently sixth in the list of states where more people are under treatment.

At present, 45,919 people are being treated for the virus, putting a lot of pressure on the health system in the state. The health department estimated that the number of people being treated daily could rise to 10,000 in the coming weeks and up to 75,000 at the same time.