THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George has informed that new guidelines have been issued due to a slight increase in the number of covid cases in the state. The guidelines were issued on the basis of the Covid review meeting held last day.

People with diabetes, hypertension, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, and other diseases, pregnant women, children, and the elderly must wear a mask in public places and hospitals. Patients above 60 years of age who have symptoms of Covid must undergo an RTPCR test and receive treatment according to the standards. Patients and attendants arriving at the hospital must wear masks compulsorily.

Government and private hospitals should set up beds specifically to treat Covid patients. If a patient undergoing treatment is confirmed to be infected with Covid, treatment must be guaranteed in the same hospital without denial. Samples of those who are tested positive for Covid from all districts should be sent for WGS testing as per existing norms. The district surveillance officers should ensure this. The health department informs that the District Medical Officers have to ensure that the facilities as required in the guidelines are being provided in the Government/Private Hospitals and that the patients are getting treatment.