THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Veena George has announced that one more person has been diagnosed with Nipah in Kozhikode. This is a 24-year-old health worker, who is admitted at a private hospital. With this, the number of people under treatment for Nipah has increased to three. Two people had already died due to the disease.

Meanwhile, Veena George said that a high-level meeting led by the Chief Minister has decided to provide volunteer services to help those in isolation as part of Nipah virus prevention.

There are 2 epic centres. The attention of the police will also be here. Wards within a five kilometer radius of the epic centre will be served by local volunteers. They will work under the leadership of the panchayat. Teams of volunteers will be deployed ward-wise and regionally in containment zones. There will be a phone number to contact them. Volunteers will be given a badge. Volunteers will be decided by the panchayat. Medicines and food will be provided to those in isolation. The minister was speaking after a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.

Virology labs in Kozhikode and Thonnakkal will continue to conduct tests for diagnosis. 706 people are in contact list. 77 of them are on high risk contact list. 153 people are health workers. The number of people on the contact list is likely to increase as the route map of the infected is published. Isolation facility will also be provided at the local body level for those who need it. Adequate facilities will also be provided in hospitals. Kozhikode Medical College is equipped with 75 rooms. The collector has been tasked to avoid crowds in Kozhikode district for the next ten days.