Thiruvananthapuram: The central team has directed Kerala to ramp up the number of COVID-19 tests in the state after analysing and reviewing the situation. The Central team observed that the transmission rate is high and low tests are being done to curb the infection.
The team deputed by the centre consists of Dr Ruchi Jain, Central Health Department representative, and Dr Raveendran.
The Central team met with the State Health Minister K.K. Shailaja at the Kollam Guest House and directed the State to ramp up testing. Expressing anxiety over the rise in positivity rate, the state said that the transmission is likely to rise considering the current situation, with elections around the corner public moving about without observing protocols.
The team evaluated that if the tests per day were at the maximum right from the beginning, this situation could have been avoided. The State should observe more vigil in tracing and identifying cases through contact and ensuring their quarantine, the team said. The state Health Minister informed the Central team that the testing has already been raised to more than 80000 per day in the last three days.
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In the past three days, the number of COVID tests done in Kerala is well above 80000. K.K Shailaja said that the regulations would be stringent; especially with the elections are coming up in Kerala.
The team visited the places including Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Ernakulam where the COVID transmission was reportedly high. They evaluated the activities and checked on the operations carried out. A comprehensive report would be submitted by the Central team to the Central Government after thoroughly evaluating the COVID situation.
