Kerala reported 1,801 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, said the health minister’s office (Representational)
Thiruvananthapuram:
Amid rising cases of Kovid-19 in Kerala, Health Minister Veena George on Saturday said that masks are mandatory for pregnant women, the elderly and those suffering from lifestyle diseases as it is necessary to protect the elderly and bed-ridden patients from the disease.
The minister said after holding a high-level meeting to assess the COVID-19 situation in the state that COVID-19 related deaths mostly occur in people above 60 years of age and those suffering from lifestyle diseases like diabetes Are.
Kerala reported 1,801 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, the health minister’s office said in a statement, adding that the maximum number of cases were reported from Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam districts.
“We have increased testing. Hospital admissions are increasing marginally. However, of the total cases, only 0.8 per cent patients require oxygen support, while 1.2 per cent are admitted in ICU,” the minister said.
The release said that 85 per cent of the Covid-19 related deaths have occurred in people above 60 years of age.
“Special care should be taken of bed-ridden patients and elderly at home. We should ensure that they do not get affected by COVID-19. Those who have elderly and bed-ridden at home or who are affected by lifestyle diseases should Should strictly take extra care and use mask and wash your hands with soap,” the release said.
The minister asked people with lifestyle diseases, senior citizens, pregnant women and children to wear masks while stepping out in public.
The health department instructed all district hospitals to conduct a proper assessment of Covid-19 and to increase facilities as per the surge plan keeping in mind the increasing number of corona patients.
The minister also directed the department to ensure the availability of oxygen and said that a special meeting of private hospitals would be held soon.
As per the latest test, the maximum number of people have been found infected with the Omicron variant.
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