THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The central team which has visited the state has evaluated that the number of covid 19 tests are still low in Kerala. The central team which held talks with health minister K K Shylaja has asked why the state have such a high test positivity rate when the number of tests conducted is very low. They have also asked the state government to increase the number of Covid 19 tests in the state.
“Compared to other states the number of tests conducted in Kerala is very low. If more tests are conducted from the beginning itself, then proper care could have been given to more number of patients. If that was done then the pandemic wouldn’t have grown to such uncontrollable proportions in the state now”, the central team told state government. The team also warned the state government the pandemic cases could further spike in the state. Whereas the health minister said the number of tests in the state has been increased to 80,000 and it will be further increased in the days to come. She also added that as elections are around the corner, Covid 19 protocol norms will be strongly enforced in the state.
The central team also asked why the state have high test positivity rates despite a low number of tests and if the number of tests is not increased the situation might get worst. After conducting tests in three districts, the central team will give a comprehensive report to the central government.
Whereas the health minister has told them when the pandemic was in super spread state in Maharashtra test positivity rate was about 40 per cent and is it right to consider the rapid transmission of the pandemic in the state when the test positivity rate in Kerala is around 10 per cent. Then minister also added that private hospitals in the state are only recording positive cases and not negative cases.