Thiruvananthapuram: 28,798 new cases of Covid-19 were detected in Kerala today from 1,44,372 sample tests in the last 24 hours with a test positivity rate of 19.95%. This is the first time the test positivity rate is falling below 20% in more than a month. Meanwhile, 151 deaths were also confirmed today as caused by Covid and the related death toll in the State is now 7,882. At present, there are 2,48,526 active cases even as 35,525 patients have recovered from the disease today. Malappuram district still has the highest number of 4,751 new positive cases on May 26.
Briefing the media, Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan said, “The review meeting held today observed that the Covid spread is declining but the situation is still not completely satisfactory. The fact that the number of patient recoveries is more than the number of people infected is a matter of relief and shows compliance to the lockdown norms. But we need to exercise caution. However, there has been no decline in the number of people being treated in hospitals. The demand for ICU beds, ventilators will continue for some more time and it is imperative that there is no rush in hospitals to avoid loss of lives.”
Employees of Civil Supplies Department, Supplyco, Legal Metrology, Government Press, Textbook Printing and Passport Office will also be included in the vaccine priority list. There will be 50% attendance in the Secretariat from May 31.
The Chief Minister also informed that a special team of the Special Branch has started inspections in all the districts to check the sale of Covid prevention items at a price higher than that set by the government. The police have been instructed to take legal action including the closure of establishments found indulging in such practices. The team will also check the sale of substandard pulse oximeters. “Accurate understanding of the oxygen level in the body is essential for the safety of Covid patients. Incorrect information provided by poor quality pulse oximeters can endanger the patient. Therefore, people should buy only from the companies shortlisted by the Medical Service Corporation which would check the quality of the pulse oximeters. The government will soon make the list available to the public”, he added.
