THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Veena George said that the Covid outbreak was declining in the state as compared to previous weeks and it's a relief. Omicron, a genetic variant of Covid has triggered third wave and the state is under alert. Kerala will survive this wave by standing together. The Minister said that the caution and care must continue.

The third wave in the state started on January. Cases increased at a rate of 45 percent in the first week, 148 percent in the second week and 215 percent in the third week of January. But as of Friday, the number of cases has dropped by 71 percent. On Saturday, it is down to 57 percent. The Minister said that there is a lot of hope if such a decline continues.

The strategies followed in the third wave is different from that of the first wave and the second wave. During the first wave, vaccination was not available. Vaccination was very low in the second wave. But special arrangements were made to vaccinate as many people as possible. At present, the adult vaccination rate of first dose in the state is 100 per cent. The second dose of vaccination is 84%. Vaccination of children is 70 percent. The booster dose vaccination is also under progression. In this case, the vast majority have acquired immunity. Therefore,a lockdown is irrelevant.

The state is ready to face the third wave of Covid. The health department had already made preparations ahead of the third wave. Hospitals were set up and oxygen availabilty was ensured. The state has oxygen reserves. Health department has regularly conducted meetings to strengthen the Covid defense.

Several facilities including ICUs are being strengthened in secondary level peripheral hospitals to reduce the burden on medical colleges in the state. Hospital beds, oxygen beds, ICUs and ventilator facilities were maximized. District, general and taluk hospitals were strengthened. The stockpile of medicines and other safety equipment required for hospitals has been ensured. Work is also underway to make the pediatric system fully operational.

Only about 3% require hospitalization during the third wave.The figure is almost the same in the state. So there is no huge increase in patients in hospitals and ICUs. Now home care is important. People under home care must be cautious and seek treatment in a timely manner. The minister said that the state will overcome this Covid situation as soon as possible.