Thiruvananthapuram: Health Minister Veena George has said that the surge of Covid is rapid in the state. Unlike waves one and two, covid has a large amplitude at the very beginning of the third wave. The amplitude in the second wave was 2.68 and is now 3.12.
That is, Omicron is six times larger than Delta. The next three weeks will be crucial, he said. The minister was talking to media persons about the covid situation in the state.
Kerala faced the first and second waves together. We have to overcome this wave together beyond politics. The state tried to delay the maximum peak in waves one and two. Omicron, which is far more potent than the Delta virus, is spreading in the third wave.
Although Omicron is relatively less serious than the Delta variant, caution should not be neglected. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during this time, and patients are more likely to be admitted to hospitals, ICUs, and ventilators.
False propaganda is being spread on social media about covid and Omikron. Strict action will be taken against those who spread fake news. People with symptoms of cold, fever, cough, headache, and body aches should stay at home. The vast majority of Omicron sufferers do not seem to lose their sense of smell and taste.
It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent the spread of covid. The situation will get worse if everyone does not pay attention personally. Everyone should be careful not to make the current situation worse. Everyone must fulfill personal and social responsibility. Everyone should wear a mask and maintain social distance. Must wear N95 or Double mask.
The state is trying to make the vaccine safe for as many people as possible. About 99.8 percent of people over the age of 18 were given the first dose of vaccine and 83 percent of the second dose. In addition, child vaccination was 57 percent (8,67,199). Reserve dose vaccination is also in progress.
Institutions should take special care not to become clusters. Health workers also need to be very careful. Safety equipment must be properly worn by all. Covid recently infected 1508 health workers.
The media should also pay attention. Hospital staff gatherings are not allowed during this time. Everyone should take the reserve dose vaccine. Hospital visits should be minimized. Do not bring more patients to the hospital. Make the most of e Sanjeevani services.
The health department had already made preparations ahead of the third wave of covid. Hospitals were set up and oxygen, medicines, and safety equipment were ensured. There are 3,107 ICU beds and 2293 ventilators in the government sector and 7468 ICU beds and 2432 ventilators in the private sector. In government hospitals, 44 percent with covid and non-covid are in the ICU, and 11.8 percent are on the ventilator. A total of 8353 oxygen beds are also set up. Only 11% of them are patients.
The state had earlier made arrangements to ensure the availability of oxygen in the event of a third wave. The storage capacity of liquid oxygen is also increased. The public and private sectors currently have a storage capacity of 1817.54 MT of liquid oxygen. Work is in progress to set up an additional storage capacity of 159.6 MT. Previously there were only 4 oxygen generators. An additional 42 oxygen generators were installed ahead of the third wave. There are 14 air separation units in various parts of the state.
The news that there is a shortage of medicines in the state is baseless. In addition, KMSCL is a monoclonal antibody used to treat covid. Stored by. Availability of PPE kits, masks, and gloves is also ensured.
In addition to the drugs used to treat covid, the availability of other essential drugs, such as antibiotics and medications for lifestyle diseases, has also been assessed. There is no shortage of drugs, including the measles vaccine.
The Minister expressed his condolences on the death of Grade One Saritha, Nursing Officer, Varkala Taluk Hospital.
