Wednesday was the fourth day in the last seven days when no fresh COVID-19 cases had been reported in Kerala. And in the last seven days the total number of fresh cases recorded was five, the lowest seven-day figure after the second wave of infections began on March 9.
On the other hand, during the same number of days, 81 patients were cured of the disease; from 111 active cases on April 30, the number fell to 30 on Wednesday, a recovery rate of nearly 12 a day.
With seven recovering on Wednesday, six in Kottayam and one in Pathanamthitta, both these districts became free of COVID for the time being.
High-risk worries
Though COVID-free, Kottayam is still in the 'red zone'. This could be because of the fear that a driver who had brought eggs to the Kottayam market from Namakkal in Tamil Nadu on April 3, and had later tested positive, could have infected some workers in the market.
Over 10 samples of those who had come into both close and distant contact with the truck driver have been taken. Their results are expected on Thursday, on May 7. Also awaited are the results of 800 samples taken from high-risk groups like healthcare workers and those with high social exposure like policemen and politicians.
The pending results of high-risk groups has grown. On May 5, 533 results were pending. On May 4, it was 585.
Nonetheless, eight districts in Kerala are now COVID-free: Kozhikode, Malappuram, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram. Active cases are now only in six districts, with Kannur accounting for the most, 18, of the 30 remaining patients in Kerala. The other five districts have less than five cases.
New examination dates
The growing normalcy has now prompted the government to announce the dates of examinations that were put on hold because of the lockdown. The remaining general examinations of Kerala state syllabus- Class 10, Plus One and Plus Two will be held between May 21 and 29. The valuation of completed examinations would begin from May 13.
It is now clear that schools will not reopen on June 1. Nonetheless, classes will start on the customary school reopening day. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, during his sunset briefing on Wednesday, said special classes for students would be telecast through Kite Victers Channel from June 1. These classes will be available on the net and mobile.
CM sticks to Kerala quarantine norm
The Chief Minister once again stressed that a 14-day institutional quarantine was necessary for everyone returning from foreign countries. "Everyone will be shifted to a government-run quarantine facility and a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test will be conducted on their samples on the seventh day of heir arrival. If the test is negative, the person will be allowed to go home and continue their remaining compulsory quarantine of 14 days," the Chief Minister said.
Pregnant women and children with no symptoms will be allowed to undergo their mandatory 14-day quarantine at their homes.
Earlier, minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan had contradicted the Chief Minister saying that returnees would be tested before they were allowed to board the train. The Chief Minister hinted that it was not the case. "Citing health reasons, we had requested the Prime Minister to make COVID testing compulsory for those returning. We have still not received a reply," he said.
Now with two aircrafts scheduled to land in Kochi and Kozhikode with the first set of returnees, it is certain that prior COVID tests would not be done on passengers.
Stranded Malayali students
The Chief Minister said that steps have been initiated to bring back 1,177 Malayali students stranded in various North India states. The plan is to operate a special rain from Delhi. Delhi alone has 723 Malayali students waiting to return to Kerala, and 40 of them are Jamia Millia Islamia students. Punjab has 348, Haryana has 89 and Himachal Pradesh, 17. It is expected that students in places other than Delhi would be helped by the concerned states to reach Delhi to board the special train.
Many from other states return jobless
Malayalis who found themselves stuck in other states have begun their return. By Wednesday, 6,802 persons have crossed into Kerala. Among those who had returned from other states, 576 had lost their jobs.
Over 2.03 lakh have registered in the Covid-19 Jagratha portal seeking return. Among them, 69,108 had asked for passes. Till now, 38,862 passes have been distributed.
Those coming from hotspot regions in other states should have to undergo institutional quarantine, in places identified by the state. Like in the case of foreign returnees, their samples will be tested on the seventh day and if found negative they would be allowed to return home and complete the rest of their 14-day quarantine period at their homes. If their tests turn positive, they will be shifted to hospitals.
Toddy shops to open on May 13
The CM said toddy shops across the state will be re-opened on May 13. "Toddy tapping had begun a few days ago. Now, the shops will be opened on May 13," he said.
