Though COVID-19 Cases are Rising in Kerala, Death Rate is 0.36% : KK Shailaja

Thiruvananthapuram: Though Kerala is witnessing a spike in COVID-19 cases of late, there is a silver lining as the mortality rate is only 0.36%, Health Minister K K Shailaja said as she praised the tireless efforts of Health workers and urged people not to overwhelm the healthcare system by their negligence.

Lauding the services of the health workers, Shailaja said it was due to their tireless service, the state could keep the state's death rate at 0.36% despite a high number of cases.

"In the end all that matters is how we reduce the mortality rate. That's our aim. Our mortality rate is still below 0.4%.  The mortality rate of 0.36 is the best among the world," Shailaja noted.

The Southern state had reported the country's first coronavirus case on January 30, a woman medical student who returned from Wuhan, the epicentre of deadly virus in China. The second and third cases were also Wuhan returnees from the state and all the three had been successfully treated.

On May 8, after reporting a solitary case and with just 16 people under treatment, Kerala had announced that it had flattened the COVID-19 curve.

But as lockdown restrictions were lifted and people from abroad and other states started returning, positive cases started shooting up

Five months later on October 7, Kerala's fresh infections crossed the grim mark of 10,000, taking the total infection count to over 2.5 lakh. On Friday, 9250 cases were reported as the infection tally crossed 2.66 lakh.

Experts had predicted that Kerala was likely to witness a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in August and September with daily infections expected to touch between 10,000 and 20,000.

Asked about the spike in cases, Shailaja told PTI that many people had failed to heed the health directions issued during the Onam festivities, resulting in the spurt in cases.

Besides, "various political parties had also launched protests" without following the COVID protocol, she said.

 "There is a capacity for any healthcare system. Our department is working selflessly and efficiently for the past eight to 10 months so that the patient load will not exceed our system capacity.

That's why we request people not to gather and form a crowd. But some just roam around without heeding to our requests," the minister said.

The nodal officer of the state health department for communicable diseases, Dr Amar Fettle said the public need to behave responsibly in public places.

"Even though we have all the protocol in place, people should behave responsibly in public spaces. More than a pharmaceutical vaccine, we need a behavioural vaccine. Behaviour is going to be the drug, the vaccine and the prevention," Fettle told PTI.

Only 50-60% of the capacity of the government-run COVID First Line Treatment Centre (CFLTC) is currently filled with patients and similar was the case with the ventilators in the state. But there have been instances of the elderly getting infected, and this may result in reaching the full capacity of ventilators. More ventilators and ICUs are being set up, he added.

Explaining the reason for the recent spike in cases, Shailaja said the chances of infection are higher when people interact with each other and raise slogans in close quarters.

She said protests create a false security feeling among the people resulting in crowded places. “Our actions should be an example for others to follow the health protocol," she added.

The health minister said the state was trying its best to keep the elderly people safe from the infection as they are a vulnerable group.

Narrating an incident of infection at an old-age home which was later declared as a CFLTC, she said doctors and other necessary staff were posted there following which all lives could be saved.

 "Where else will you get such treatment? Those people who criticise us do not know the gravity of the situation dealt with by the health department. The public needs to cooperate in order to reduce the spread of the virus," the minister said.

Even though many have registered for the COVID brigade, a voluntary group of people, some have not joined, she said adding it was set up to enrol those interested to fight the pandemic for a salary.

"Numerous nurses and cleaning staff have joined the COVID brigade but not all doctors have joined the service. So we redeploy our staff," Shailaja said.

The Opposition Congress-led United Democratic front and the BJP had launched agitations against the government on various issues including demanding the resignation of Higher Education minister K T Jaleel, alleged corruption in Life Mission project at Wadakancherry in Thrissur.

Due to the increase in cases, UDF decided to halt its protests, but took a volte face, later and said it will continue its protests adhering to COVID protocol.

The government has also clamped prohibitory orders till the end of this month in various districts as per which not more than five people can assembly at a place.