99,651 patient recoveries, active cases fall below 4 lakhs

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala today reported 99,651 patient recoveries even as 21,402 persons tested positive for Covid-19 from 86,505 sample tests in the last 24 hours with a test positivity rate of 24.74%. Meanwhile, 87 recent deaths were confirmed as due to Covid and the related death toll in the state is now 6,515.

Briefing the media, Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan said, “It was a day of relief. It is reassuring that there is a slight decrease in the number of active cases in the state as they have come down from 4,45,000 to 3,62,315. It is a positive sign that the average number of cases per day has started coming down, as a result of the weekend restrictions, night curfews and the general caution implemented before the lockdown. The number of cases today is a reflection of the infection that happened a week back or earlier. The change we are seeing now suggests that the lockdown may be effective. Let us continue to exercise caution even after the lockdown. The review meeting today observed that the declining test positivity rate is reassuring. The experts are of the opinion that the peak of the disease spread is over but we should continue to follow restrain.”

Strict lockdown restrictions continue in the state. Triple lockdown is being implemented successfully in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram districts. Over the last two weeks, eight districts have recorded a decline of 10 to 30%. The lowest decline was in Wayanad district. In Pathanamthitta district, the prevalence of the disease is stable. However, the number of cases is increasing in Kollam, Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad districts. In Kollam district, there is an increase of 23%.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also informed that the state has initiated steps to call for a global tender for sourcing 3 crore vaccine doses. “The tender notification will be issued today”.

Vaccination of 18-44 year old

The Chief Minister disclosed that the vaccination of the 18-44-year-olds has started in the state. “As announced earlier, vaccinations for those in the 18 to 44 age group will be first given to people who have a serious illness. After registering on the Central Government’s Cowin website, they should log on to www.covid19.kerala.gov.in/vaccine/ using the same phone number and submit the required information. In addition, they have to upload the Co-morbidity Form after getting it filled by a registered medical practitioner. Please note that applications without Co-morbidity Form will be rejected.” So far, 50,178 applications have been submitted and of these, 45,525 applications have been verified.

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