Thiruvananthapuram : Though Covid surge is unusually rapid, the govt has decided to refrain from stringent measures such as weekend lockdown etc for the state, at least for time being. The decision was arrived at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary.
It was also decided to test all residents in local self-govt body limits, where test positivity rates are found to be high. All family members of households in such areas will be compulsorily tested. Targeted for these mandatory tests would be panchayats whose test positivity rate figures higher than the district average.
Studies will also be conducted to find if second wave in Kerala comprises mutated forms of virus unlike during the first wave. The meeting decided to conduct genome survey to ascertain this aspect. The meeting also assessed that , although the case numbers are spiking steeply, the state is equipped adequately in terms of treatment, ventilator, ICU and bed facilities.
The government expects to carry out wide testing and bring down test positivity rate down to 3 percent.
