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Key Points

As Covid-19 cases climb in Kerala, with 1,435 new cases reported, the Health Department has introduced updated protocols. These measures require Covid testing for all patients with a fever at hospitals. Schools reopening and a surge in fever cases have raised concerns, prompting the new guidelines. However, health experts urge calm, stating the current wave caused by new variants is manageable.

Key Points: Kerala Intensifies Covid-19 Testing Amid Rising Cases

  • Kerala records highest Covid cases in India
  • New protocols include fever patient testing
  • Educational institutions returning amid active fever outbreak
  • Health experts advise caution not panic
2 min read

Kerala steps up Covid-19 testing as cases increase

Kerala implements new Covid-19 testing protocols as cases surge, enforcing testing for all fever patients.

Kerala steps up Covid-19 testing as cases increase
"No need to panic...current infection wave unlikely to burden hospitals. - Health Experts"

Thiruvananthapuram, June 3

With the number of Covid-19 positive cases increasing in Kerala, the Health Department has decided to come out with fresh protocols.

With around 1,435 patients turning positive for the virus, Kerala has the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

The directions have been given that all patients arriving with a fever at hospitals have to undergo Covid-19 tests.

Since fresh Covid cases started registering till now, eight Covid-positive patients have passed away.

Those patients coming with a fever will have to do an antigen test first, and if it is positive, they will have to take the RT-PCR test.

An advisory has been issued that those having health issues should use masks.

By-standers of those who are admitted to hospitals have to use masks, and all Covid positive cases have to be admitted to a separate ward.

Another reason why the health authorities decided to come out with fresh directions is that educational institutions in the state have opened on Monday, and a fever is raging in the state.

Meanwhile, while the fresh guidelines came out on Tuesday, in most private hospitals, all patients undergoing surgery had to come with a Covid-19 negative certificate, and this was being done as a matter of abundant caution.

Notably, the Covid-19 cases in the country have risen to 4,026 till 8 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Five fresh deaths were reported in the past 24 hours, taking the total number of fatalities to 37.

On Monday, Health experts assured that there is no need to panic as the current infection wave is unlikely to cause a higher burden on hospitals.

This fresh wave has been caused by two new coronavirus variants, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7, mutations of the Omicron offspring JN.1 variant. Both were found in India, as per data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), set up under the Ministry of Health.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Kerala always takes proactive measures when it comes to public health. This is why their healthcare system is among the best in India. Hope other states learn from their example. Stay safe everyone! 🙏
R
Rahul S.
Why is Kerala consistently reporting highest cases? Are they testing more or is there some other factor? Genuine question. We need better coordination between states in health data sharing.
A
Anjali M.
Mask up people! It's not that difficult. Saw so many coughing passengers on my train to Kochi yesterday without masks. We've been through this before - prevention is better than cure.
V
Vikram P.
The timing is concerning with schools reopening. Maybe they should have delayed it by 2 weeks? On the positive side, at least we're better prepared this time with testing infrastructure.
S
Sunita R.
My cousin in Thiruvananthapuram said hospitals are handling the situation well. But private hospitals charging ₹2000 for mandatory Covid tests before surgery is too much no? Government should regulate this.
K
Karthik N.
New variants keep coming but our vaccines still work against severe disease. That's the most important thing. Don't panic but don't be careless either. Kerala's system will handle this well 💪
M
Meena T.
The health advisory should be in Malayalam also for better reach. Many elderly in villages don't understand English or Hindi properly. Local language communication is important in health matters.

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