THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that strict restrictions will remain in place in the state in the wake of the COVID pandemic. He reiterated that the public needs to exercise extreme caution if it has to avoid a total lockdown in the state.

"Lockdowns are avoided to ensure that livelihoods are not disrupted. However, the situation is so critical that things might quickly fall apart. We need to exercise extreme caution to avoid a complete lockdown," the CM said.

Genetically modified viruses are on the rise in Kerala. Following this, checking will be intensified at airports and railway stations. There are currently over two lakh COVID patients in the state. Today, more than 5,000 people tested positive for the disease in the Kozhikode district. The Chief Minister warned that the number of patients in the Thrissur district might double within the next four days.

"Vaccination will be increased in the state. A special nodal officer has been appointed at the vaccination center at the Jimmy George stadium. There are complaints about vaccine shortages in the state. There are 3,68,000 doses of vaccine available in the state. The reason for the complaint is that the vaccine is not available on demand. More doses have been requested from the central government," the CM said. The CM also reminded that everyone should wear masks. The N95 mask should be preferred or the practice of wearing a double mask should be followed, he added.

Medical oxygen production will be increased in the state. Oxygen production has been increased in Ernakulam. BPCL will increase production by 20 percent. Oxygen beds will be increased in hospitals. The beds in the ESI hospitals will be converted to oxygen beds. Prisoners might be granted parole as the disease is on the rise in prisons. The number of health workers in the COVID Brigade is declining. The Chief Minister said that all should be ready to join the COVID Brigade and that there are currently 13625 members in it.