Night curfew, Sunday lockdown to continue in Kerala amid surge in COVID-19 infections: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

"The COVID review meeting, which was held today, has decided to continue night curfew and lockdown on Sundays across the state," said CM Vijayan.

Representational Image (Credits: PTI)

New Delhi: The Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday (September 4, 2021) informed that Kerala will continue with its night curfew and Sunday lockdowns amid the continuing high number of COVID-19 cases in the state. The announcement came after the state authorities held a meeting to review the coronavirus situation in Kerala.

"The COVID review meeting, which was held today, has decided to continue night curfew and lockdown on Sundays across the state," said Vijayan while addressing a press conference post the meeting.

The Chief Minister also informed that Kerala reported 29,682 new COVID-19 cases, 25,910 recoveries, and 142 deaths on Saturday. The number of active cases in the state stood at 2,50,065 while the death toll logged was 21,422. Additionally, the test positivity rate was recorded at 17.54 percent. On the other hand, on Saturday, India recorded 42,618 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours wherein Kerala contributed a majority of cases by logging 29,322 positive cases. 330 fatalities were reported in the country in the last 24 hours wherein Kerala added 131 fatalities.

Kerala has reported 29,682 new #COVID19 cases, 25,910 recoveries and 142 deaths today. Active cases at 2,50,065 & death toll at 21,422 in the state. Test positivity rate stands at 17.54%: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan pic.twitter.com/sec6RCFnUZ — ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2021

CM Vijayan reveals post-Onam numbers

While addressing the press conference, Kerala CM Vijayan also said that the post-Onam increase in the number of COVID-19 cases was not as high as was anticipated. "The percentage of people admitted to hospitals in the past one week when compared to the previous two weeks has reduced. From August 14 to 20 the patients were 1,77,935 and those admitted to hospitals were 5.99 per cent. From August 28 to September 3 the cases have increased to 2,23,197 but those admitted to hospitals have reduced to 5.23 per cent," said CM Vijayan. 

Kerala's COVID-19 vaccination status

CM Vijayan stated that 75 per cent of those aged 18 years were innoculated with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. He further stated that a total of 2,15,72,491 people have received the first dose and 79,90,200 have received the second dose so far.

"100 per cent of the first dose and 87 per cent of the second dose has been administered to health workers and front line workers in the state. 92 per cent first dose and 48 per cent second dose administered to those aged above 45 years," Vijayan added. Vijayan also stated that in the months of June, July, and August, the state vaccinated 1 .95 crore people.

The Kerala Chief Minister also announced that the state aims to complete the first dose vaccination among those aged 18 years, while stating that the state is facing a severe shortage of vaccine doses in some places, Vijayan revealed that as informed by the Centre, the state is scheduled to receive 9,97,570 doses on Sunday. CM Vijayan said, "We are facing a severe shortage of vaccine doses in some places in the state. The Centre has informed us that we will receive 9,97,570 doses of vaccine tomorrow." The Kerala Chief Minister stated that with COVID-19 vaccination "progressing at a great pace", the state government is hoping to achieve herd immunity soon.

Experts on recent surge in Kerala

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), 'Herd immunity', also known as 'population immunity', is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through the previous infection. WHO supports achieving 'herd immunity' through vaccination, not by allowing disease to spread through any segment of the population, as this would result in unnecessary cases and deaths. Herd immunity against COVID-19 should be achieved by protecting people through vaccination, not by exposing them to the pathogen that causes the disease.

Vijayan further stated, "Health experts have opined that considering all these reasons the recent surge in covid cases in Kerala should not be very worrying. The government held a discussion with health experts at the national and international level to assess the covid situation in Kerala." Vijayan said that the Kerala government has decided to form neighborhood watch committees with government employees, volunteers, and residents association as members. If anyone breaks quarantine rules they will be fined and will also be kept in paid quarantine centers, he added. He also said that police services will be used to ensure that COVID-19 positive people are staying in quarantine at their homes. He further said that a case will be registered against those violating quarantine rules, adding that police motorcycle teams will be deputed to keep a check.

CM Vijayan announces 'be the warrior ' campaign

The Chief Minister also officially announced 'be the warrior ' campaign to contain the spread of COVID-19 infection in the state. The Chief Minister handed over the logo of the campaign to state Health Minister Veena George. The campaign was organized by the state health department. Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Vijayan said, "Self-defense is most important. Everyone must save themselves from COVID-19. The campaign aims to ensure that everyone wears a mask, cleans their hands frequently with soap, water, or sanitizer, maintains physical distance, and takes two doses of vaccine to take part in the fight against COVID-19. We can't go to the lockdown all the time. Life and livelihood must be protected at the same time.

It is a condition that COVID-19 can be infected by anyone. So everyone should be cautious." 

He stated that the main objective of this campaign is to reduce the severity of the third wave and to intensify the vaccination drive. As a result of the preventive measures taken by the state so far, many people have been saved from contracting the disease, said the Chief Minister, adding that efforts are being made to make everyone safe by vaccinating as soon as the vaccine is available. 

Vijayan informed that the campaign also aims to educate the general public on the importance of SMS campaigns, (Soap, Mask, Social Distance ), pass only the official guidelines of the department of health, observe reverse quarantine and prevent the spread of the disease to the elderly, children and inpatients.

"As part of this, an active effort will be made to raise awareness about the importance and responsibility of every citizen in the fight against covid through newspapers, visual, audio, social media, and other means across the state. Each of us can be a selfless warrior in the fight against the covid pandemic," added the Chief Minister.

(With ANI inputs)