In the wake of a concerning spike in Covid-19 cases, Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, chaired a crucial meeting on Tuesday with top health officials, emphasizing the importance of vigilance over panic. The state reported 292 new infections on Wednesday, pushing the active cases beyond the 2000-mark, with Kerala now contributing to 88 percent of the total active cases in the country.
Amid the rise in infections, two individuals succumbed to Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the cumulative death toll in the state to 72,056, according to data from the union ministry of health and family welfare.
Despite the alarming increase in cases, the state health department has yet to release details on the fresh infections or the deceased, with the Covid dashboard remaining unupdated since September 9, 2022.
During the meeting convened by Minister Veena George, a strategic decision was made to enforce mandatory mask-wearing at all hospitals across the state. Special attention is to be directed towards Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts, which are currently reporting the majority of the new cases.
Contrary to earlier reports denying a significant spike in infections, Minister George clarified on Monday that the health department has been closely monitoring a gradual increase in cases since November. The department took proactive measures by ordering the comprehensive genomic sequencing of infections, leading to the identification of the JN.1 sub-variant of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Furthermore, Minister George disclosed that 15 travelers from various parts of India tested positive for the JN.1 sub-variant during routine surveillance at the Singapore airport. This revelation strongly suggests that the variant is not confined to Kerala but has spread to other states across the country.
As the state faces this new challenge, health authorities are urging the public to remain cautious, adhere to safety measures, and cooperate with health guidelines. The decision to make masks mandatory in hospitals reflects the government’s commitment to containing the spread of the virus and protecting public health, with a particular focus on the districts experiencing the highest caseloads.
