COVID-19 Situation In Kerala Better Than National Average: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram: Lauding his government’s efforts to contain the pandemic, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday (October 6) reaffirmed that the COVID-19 situation in the state was better than the national average. “Although COVID was first reported in Kerala in the country, we have been able to contain the spread on a large scale as a result of the caution exercised by both the government and the people. Despite the increase in the cases in the last few days, we are still in a better position compared to the national average,” said Mr. Vijayan.

Also Read: Most COVID-19 Positive Patients In Kerala In 20-40 Age Bracket: Health Minister KK Shailaja

While briefing the media, CM said that the state is testing more tests per million that the national average and fatality rate is only 0.36 per cent as compared to national average of 1.55 per cent.

The tests per million in Kerala are 92,788 as against the national figure of 77,054. There are 99 per million at the national level while in Kerala, it is 24.5. The state has a case fatality rate of only 0.36 per cent as compared to the national average of 1.55 per cent. The test positivity rate in Kerala is 7.2 per cent as against 8.3 per cent nationally. So if we look at the figures, we can see that the vigilance and steps taken so far have not been in vain. Therefore, they must be taken forward more vigorously, Mr. Vijayan said.

Amid rise in coronavirus patients in the state, government is expediting the process of identifying and isolating possible patients in all districts and at the same time proposes to tighten the COVID-19 restrictions in public places.

However, as many as 7,871 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Kerala on Tuesday, taking the state’s active count to 87,738.

A total of 111 health workers were found coronavirus positive out of 7,871 newly reported cases. In the last 24 hours, 4,981 people recovered taking the state’s total recovery to 87,738. A total of 25 deaths were also reported from the state.

Also Read: Kerala Wins UN Award For Control Of Non-Communicable Diseases

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.