Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today announced a state-wide genetic study on Covid patients. Briefing the media, the Chief Minister said, “A genetic study of patients infected by the Coronavirus was conducted in the northern districts of the State in collaboration with the Institute of Genomics and Integrated Biology under CSIR. This will be extended across the State.”
The CM added that as per the experts, the rate of the spread of the virus is very high in the State. “The elderly should especially be more cautious as they are more prone to be infected by the virus and the death toll is likely to rise. The ‘Break the Chain’ campaign should be made more stringent and efficient. With the opening up of the public transport services and other closed establishments, Kerala should expect to see a hike in the number of Covid cases as the spread of the disease would be much higher than it is today.”
CFLTCs being speeded up to handle an increase in patients
The Chief Minister has informed that the Government has expedited the setting up of Covid First Line Treatment Centres (CFLTCs) in all the districts as the numbers of patients are increasing.
“CFLTCs are being transformed into public healthcare centres specially designed to combat the outbreak of the pandemic. All facilities at CFLTCs including doctors and other staff as required are being provided. At present, 194 CFLTCs with 26,425 beds are operational with 50% occupancy. A total of 1,21,055 beds will be set up in 1,391 CFLTCs across the State, said the CM.”
The Covid First-Line Treatment Centres are mainly for asymptomatic Covid positive patients. They are given necessary inpatient treatment under the direct supervision of a physician along with free food and accommodation. The facilities of specialist doctors are also available through telemedicine.
Covid Brigade to be expanded with more healthcare workers
Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that the Covid Brigade in the State will be expanded to provide the services of more healthcare workers for Covid treatment. The Covid Brigade was set up to support the functioning of CFLTCs following the expert opinion that the Covid outbreak would increase by September. The necessary medical systems and human resources needed would be enhanced.
The Covid Brigade consists of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and other health workers required at First Line Treatment Centres. They will be deployed in districts where there is a shortage of health workers. The first mission of the Covid Brigade was to carry out Covid defence activities at Kasargod. The first group consisted of 26 people, including six doctors.
So far, 13,577 medical professionals have registered as volunteers in the Covid Brigade. This includes 2,562 doctors, 833 BAMs, 1,080 BDS, 293 MBBS, 2,811 nurses, 747 lab technicians, 565 pharmacists and 3,827 non-technicians.
The CM has exhorted more people to come forward to volunteer for the Covid Brigade. Registration can be done online on the Covid Jagratha Portal.