Kerala stories 23,513 COVID-19 circumstances, 198 deaths; lockdown in state prolonged until June 9

By PTI
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala on Saturday reported 23,513 COVID-19 circumstances, taking the caseload to 24,64,360, whereas 198 deaths pushed the toll to eight,455.

Recoveries outnumbered new infections with 28,100 sufferers testing detrimental, taking the entire to 22,52,505.

Active circumstances stood at 2,33,034.

Malappuram recorded the best variety of 3,990 circumstances, adopted by Thiruvananthapuram with2,767 and Palakkad 2682, a well being division bulletin stated.

Of the brand new circumstances, 86 have been well being staff, 139 from exterior the state and 22,016 have been contaminated by way of contacts, it stated.

In the previous 24 hours, 1,41,759 samples have been examined, taking the check positivity charge to 16.59 per cent.

A complete of 8,35,866 individuals are underneath commentary in varied districts, together with 39,466 in varied hospitals.

The Kerala authorities on Saturday introduced yet another week extension of the statewide lockdown until June 9, to include the unfold of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some relaxations to carry out important actions.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan introduced the extension of the shutdown at a press convention right here.

“Although prevalence of the disease is declining significantly in the state, we have not yet reached a stage to remove restrictions. The lockdown will continue in all districts from May 31 to June 9,” the chief minister stated.

The state has been underneath lockdown since May 8 following the sharp rise in coronavirus circumstances.

The chief minister additionally introduced withdrawal of “triple lockdown” in Malappuram district, the place the variety of circumstances was excessive.

However, the overall lockdown will proceed within the district together with different districts within the state.

The authorities had earlier prolonged statewide lockdown twice–on May 16 and May 23–after reviewing the scenario.

Vijayan stated the typical check positivity charge (TPR) within the state for the final three days is lower than 20 per cent in all of the districts besides Thiruvananthapuram (20.21) and Palakkad (23.86).

In Malappuram district, the TPR has decreased from a peak of 31.53 per cent on May 23 to 17.25 per cent.

In this context, the triple lockdown within the district might be withdrawn from May 30 however the lockdown will proceed, the chief minister stated.

He stated there are 212 LSG our bodies within the state with TPR above 30 per cent and 17 with TPR above 50 per cent.

Special inspections might be carried out at these native our bodies, he stated.

As per the brand new lockdown pointers, some concessions might be given to carry out important actions.

All industrial institutions (together with coir, cashew, and many others) can perform with minimal staff not exceeding 50 per cent of complete energy.

Shops and items supplying uncooked supplies (together with packaging) to industrial institutions could also be open until 5 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Banks will stay open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with prolonged timings until 5 pm.

Shops promoting training books, textiles for weddings, jewelry and footwear might be open until 5 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Toddy sale might be allowed in parcels, following the COVID protocol.

Vijayan stated extra vaccine inventory is anticipated within the first week of June and the vaccination drive might be intensified as per the provision.

“We intend to do maximum vaccinations by June 15. Vaccination of inmates of old-age homes, those above 45 years of age in tribal colonies and bedridden patients will be done as soon as possible,” he stated.

Vijayan stated one of many most important goals behind the lockdown was to carry down the variety of energetic circumstances within the state beneath 2.5 lakh, thus preserving in thoughts the variety of sufferers that may be accommodated by the state’s healthcare system.

“We could avoid a crisis that the second wave of COVID created in other parts of the country. There is no shortage of ICU beds, ventilators and oxygen. We could provide necessary treatment to all those who got infected in Kerala,” he stated.

Vijayan stated the variety of hospitalised sufferers and the check positivity charge should additional scale back in an effort to announce unlocking.

“Use of ICU beds should be less than 60 per cent (currently 70 per cent) and the average TPR for three consecutive days should be less than 15 per cent (presently 18 per cent). At the same time, there should be a seven-day reduction in the total number of active cases and the number of new cases,” he stated.

The chief minister stated the lockdown might be withdrawn solely when all of those standards are met.

“Otherwise, the spread will increase and go out of control resulting in more deaths,” he stated.

Vijayan additionally stated that vaccine corporations have proven curiosity in organising their manufacturing items on the premises of the Life Science Park of the Institute of Virology.