THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health ministry warns that by January 15th, at least 9,000 cases will be recorded per day in the state. This conclusion was made in the report presented by health secretary Dr Rajan Khobragade in the Covid 19 evaluation meeting held on Sunday in the presence of Chief Minister.

The report also suggests that the number of those under treatment could increase to 90,000 and death rate could increase by 0.5 per cent. As of now the death rate in Kerala is 0.4 per cent. 65,000 persons are under treatment in the state on an average. The report points out that the opening of educational institutions and the widespread interaction of people during local body polls could lead to the rapid transmission of the pandemic in the coming days.

The health ministry has also decided to increase antigen tests. Those who are under greater risk of the pandemic will be subject to antigen test and those who have turned negative but have the symptoms of the disease will be subject to RTPCR test. The health ministry will also undertake further studies to check the rapid spread of the disease in the second phase and to devise new strategies to prevent it. The study will be conducted among 12,100 persons above the age of 18 years.

Meanwhile, the third phase of ICMR’s zero surveys has been completed in the state. The survey is ongoing in Ernakulam, Palakkad and Thrissur districts. The test positivity rates recorded in the first phase of surveys were 0.33% and in August it was 0.8%.