Thiruvananthapuram, July 24: Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today informed that the State ranks third in India in terms of Covid testing. “In terms of testing, Kerala ranks third in terms of the scientific method of test per million by case per million. The test positivity in the state is only 2.6 per cent. According to the WHO, less than 5% of cases means the situation is under control. Today, the number of new cases has dropped to less than a thousand. Even though the number of recoveries was more, the situation in many parts of the state requires more caution”, the Chief Minister said.
Although Covid19 was first reported in India in Kerala as early in January, meticulous interventions have helped to reduce the virus outbreak and reduce mortality. In the first two stages, the infection spread was effectively prevented. The third stage was expected. “It was out achievement that we could reduce the number of deaths. The case fatality rate is 0.31%. As of yesterday, 16,110 people had been infected and the death toll was only 50”, he added.
The State has gradually increased the testing facilities. Starting with just one lab, today RTPCR testing facilities are available at 25 locations, including 15 government labs and eight private labs. True NAT testing is conducted at 19 government labs and 15 private labs, CB NAT testing at six government labs and nine private labs. There are also 10 labs for airports and clusters antigen testing. Currently, various Covid tests are being performed in 84 labs. Steps are being taken to set up eight more government labs. Accredited private labs are also allowed to test.
Initially, just fewer than 100 tests were being conducted daily. Now it has been ramped up to more than 25,000, depending on the outbreak of the disease. In the last 24 hours, 25,160 samples were tested. So far, a total of 6,35,272 samples have so far been sent for testing, including routine samples, Airport Surveillance, Pooled Sentinel, CBNAT, Trunat, CLIA and Antigen Assay.
The CM also informed that there is enough stock of kits for 30 days. More kits will be procured through KMSCL in case of shortage.
Good progress in setting up Covid First-Line Treatment Centres
Covid First-Line Treatment Centres (CFLTCs) are being set up in all the districts in the State as the numbers of patients are increasing. CFLTCs are public health centres specially designed to combat Kovid spread. Test positive persons with mild or no symptoms are treated at First-Line Treatment Centres. This will reduce congestion in hospitals and provide better treatment.
Briefing media, the Chief Minister said, “CFLTCs are set up in three phases. The first phase will have 86 CFLTCs with 11,284 beds; the second phase, 253 CFLTCs with 30,598 beds and in the third phase, 36,400 beds in 480 CFLTCs. New centres are being set up every day. The manpower for these CFLTCs is also being mobilised.”
Employees are being set up based on Pool I, Pool II and Pool III. In Pool I, about 30,000 employees are already selected and assigned to the respective districts. The District Collector and the District Medical Officer will appoint them to the required CFLTCs. More than 50,000 employees have been identified for Pool II & III. Arrangements are being made for additional resources.
The CM also disclosed that discussions were held with 1,129 private hospitals managements. In the first phase, about 200 hospitals have come forward and their services will also be used in CFLTCs if required.