Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 30: Kerala today reported 37,199 new cases of Covid-19 which were detected from 149,487 sample tests in the last 24 hours with a Test Positivity Rate of 24.88%. 49 recent deaths were confirmed as due to Covid. At present, there are 3,03,733 patients under treatment for Coronavirus infection in the state while 17,500 patients have recovered from the same.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan said, “The numbers show that the situation in the State is going worse. In this context, the interventions have been strengthened at all levels. Apart from the restrictions announced earlier, a full lockdown may have to be imposed in some districts where the disease spread is high (Test Positivity Rate exceeding 50%). We will be going for more stringent restrictions from May 4th.”
Banks will function till 2 pm (only till 1 pm for the public). Government offices, both State and Central, handling only emergency services, will be functional. Shops selling essential items will be open. Only takeaways and home delivery will be allowed from hotels and restaurants. However, there will be no restrictions on freight movement and for those who travel by air or rail. Attendance at religious places should be restricted to a maximum of 50 people subject to available space. Ration shops and Civil Supplies stores will be open.
“However, LSG bodies (local governments) should not declare lockdown on their own as it would not stand legally. Restrictions are being imposed by declaring Section 144 in places where cases are on the high. There may be further restrictions based on that. Only the National Disaster Management Authority, the State Disaster Management Authority, the District Disaster Management Authority, the Chief Secretary, the Revenue Secretary and the District Collector (District Magistrate) have the power to issue these orders depending on the circumstances. Strict restrictions will be imposed on areas declared as Containment Zones. Only the most essential things are allowed in these places. This can be further strengthened by dividing the micro containment zones into clusters as was done successfully in Kottayam district”, the CM added.
Use of double masks
The Chief Minister has requested the people to use double masks. “Studies have found that the spread of Covid was controlled in various parts of the world where the use of masks was strictly enforced. It is important to use double masking anywhere outside the home. Double masking does not mean wearing two cloth masks but instead placing a cloth mask after wearing a surgical mask. If we wear masks like this and wash our hands frequently, we can prevent the disease to a large extent.” He also urged individuals, celebrities and organisations to come forward to make people aware of the importance of wearing masks.
The CM also added that the government will take strong legal action against those who spread misinformation. The government will continue to take stern action across the state against institutions that do not take the issue seriously despite warnings of an escalation of the Covid outbreak. Restrictions and checking in harbours will be further strengthened.
Oxygen war rooms
The Chief Minister announced that oxygen war rooms are being set up in all districts. There will be an oxygen war room at the state level also. Issues that cannot be resolved at the district level will be handled at the State level war room.
The required number of beds, ICU beds, ventilators and ambulance has been increased. The manpower resources in the health sector are also being strengthened along with the facilities. “In this way, the government is trying to guard the state with maximum measures to ensure the safety of the people”, he added.