Highlights
- In Kerala, COVID-19 patients are discharged after they test negative
- Negative test policy is to ensure the safety of the community: CM
- Third phase of COVID-19 outbreak: the numbers have been increasing, says CM
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday (July 22) clarified that the state’s discharge policy regarding COVID-19 patients is different from the existing policies at the national level and in other states. During a press conference, the Chief Minister said, “As per the national policy, a patient is discharged after 10 days of admission if there are no minor symptoms. Most states follow this method. Initially in Kerala, a patient was discharged only after two consecutive negative test results.”
Also Read: New COVID-19 Lockdown Guidelines Issued For Aluva Region In Kerala
He said that tests have been made mandatory in asymptomatic cases as well in the updated guidelines by the Department of Health, which were published yesterday.
Kerala has always followed a policy of discharging patients only after they test negative. The policy is to ensure the safety of the community and to prevent the further spread of the disease. In the third phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in the state, the numbers have been increasing rapidly and today it has cross 1,000, the Chief Minister said.
He said that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a complex situation. CM Vijayan announced that free grocery kits of 11 items will be distributed to 88 lakh ration cardholders during this year’s Onam festival falling during the COVID-19 time.
The distribution of the free Onam kit would start in the last week of August. In addition, 10 kg rice will be distributed in August at Rs. 15 per kg rate to non-priority sections who do not receive adequate ration, he added.
On Wednesday (July 22), Kerala reported 1,038 new COVID-19 cases, out of which 226 cases were from Thiruvananthapuram alone. The total number of active cases now stands at 8,818.
Out of the 226 new cases in Thiruvananthapuram, 190 people contracted the virus through local transmission. The situation is serious and the government is considering whether a complete lockdown should be imposed in the state, said the Chief Minister.
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.
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