Representative Image | Mathrubhumi archives
Kollam: In the wake of a spike in Covid-19 cases in Kerala, the state health department has decided to make the covid test mandatory for individuals with pneumonia-like symptoms. Similarly, 2 to 5 per cent of fever and cold patients should undergo swab testing. The percentage can be fixed by the respective district administrations after evaluating the Covid-19 situation. However, at least 2 per cent should undergo testing.
Swab samples of Covid-19 positive people with severe symptoms or travel history to foreign countries should be sent for genome sequencing.
The health department has also urged to intensify vaccination. Those above 60 years will get a booster shot soon. Similarly, a team of doctors will be visiting schools and inoculating students in the category of ages 12 and 17. In some areas, there is a plan to make use of vaccination centres near schools. The decisions will be taken after consultation with the education department. The district administrations will be coordinating this.
Meanwhile, though there is a spike in cases, the individuals with severe complications are very few. The department has directed the districts to equip themselves for the contingency with hospitals, beds, ICU beds and testing facilities. They are also directed to keenly observe whether Covid-19 clusters are getting formed.
RELATED STORIES
.jpg?$p=371ccbe&f=1x1&w=100&q=0.8)
.jpg?$p=2d0b9a6&f=1x1&w=100&q=0.8)
%20(1).jpg?$p=d37525f&q=0.8&f=16x11&w=104)
.jpg?$p=f45ebce&q=0.8&f=16x11&w=104)
.jpg?$p=a80322e&q=0.8&f=16x11&w=104)
.jpg?$p=24d41f7&q=0.8&f=16x11&w=104)
