One In Four Test Covid+ In Kerala, 40K New Cases; ‘No Shortage Of Oxygen’, Says CM Vijayan

“With regards to the ventilator availability in the government hospitals, 27.3 percent are under use, while in the private sector, of the 1,523 available ventilators, 377 are under use. Likewise, 51.28 percent of oxygen beds in the public and 66.12 percent in the private health care sectors are under use now,” he said.

Thiruvananthapuram: Expressing serious concern over the surge in Covid-19 cases in Kerala with 41,953 people turning positive in the past 24 hours, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said there is no shortage of oxygen at the moment and added “38.7 percent of ICU beds are vacant in state-run hospitals”.

“With regards to the ventilator availability in the government hospitals, 27.3 percent are under use, while in the private sector, of the 1,523 available ventilators, 377 are under use. Likewise, 51.28 percent of oxygen beds in the public and 66.12 percent in the private health care sectors are under use now,” he said.

Vijayan said “things are serious as the test positivity rate (TPR) also is not coming down and hence, ward level committees and medical students also will now be actively involved”.

“Apart from that, those medical graduates, who are waiting for registration, will be given temporary registration, which will enable them to get to work,” he added.

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The Chief Minister said arrangements are being made to ensure that lodges and hostels are identified and will be kept ready if a need arises.

“By now, private hospitals have kept aside 25 per cent beds for Covid patients and talks are going on to increase it to 50 per cent. Checks will now be made at all Old Age homes. Every local body in the state will ensure that they set up a help desk. It has also been decided to vaccinate the tribal community and it would be done in their place itself,” IANS quoted Vijayan as saying.

Vijayan further said the police will ensure the medicines are delivered at people’s homes in cases of urgent need, adding a call centre has opened for the same in the state police headquarters.

“Meanwhile, it has also been decided that even if people turn Covid positive, if there is no immediate need, they can remain at their residence, which will enable those who need hospital attention to get it. Things will turn out of hand if all are admitted to the hospitals,” he said.

The districts worst-affected by the pandemic include Ernakulam, Kozhikode and Thrissur.