'Prepared To Handle A Wave': Kerala Health Minister Veena George As State Records Highest Covid Active Cases
Kerala Health Minister said they have decided to increase the normal and ICU beds, ventilators according to requirement.
On the day Kerala continued to witness a spike in COVID cases, State Health Minister Veena George said they were prepared to handle a wave. As per the weekly COVID positivity rate released by the Centre, Kerala reported a spike from 1.47 per cent to 4.51 per cent COVID cases.
Veena George, Kerala Health Minister said, “We’ve been prepared to handle a wave. 13 ICU cases are there currently. Senior citizens, pregnant ladies, children are advised to wear a mask while stepping out. We’ve decided to increase the normal and ICU beds, ventilators according to requirement.”
Kochi | We’ve been prepared to handle a wave. 13 ICU cases are there currently. Senior citizens, pregnant ladies, children are advised to wear a mask while stepping out. We’ve decided to increase the normal and ICU beds, ventilators according to requirement: Veena George, Kerala… pic.twitter.com/ToM1belfga
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2023
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On Monday, the Union Health Ministry held a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of states and Union Territories for COVID management. In the meeting chaired by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, the Health Secretary advised the state to conduct mock drills across the country on April 10 and 11. He said the mock drill in all health facilities should aim to ensure that there is enough hospital infrastructure like oxygen cylinders and ventilators to handle the situation.
Bhushan also told that the mock drills were last conducted on December 27. On the day of mock drills held at 21,939 facilities - 16,601 government and 5,338 private--the PSA plants and oxygen concentrators were functional in over 94 per cent of the facilities.
Bhushan also quoted PM Modi's message after the high-level review meeting on March 22 and told the states to remain cautious due to the spread of infection.
The meeting was also attended by NITI Aayog's Member, Health Dr VK Paul and Health Research Secretary Dr Rajiv Bahl.
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