19 new Corona Virus cases reported in Kerala today, total of 126 cases

Kerala is prepared for any eventuality in tackling the spread of the Corona Virus disease in the State. This was declared by the Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan during his interaction with the media today. He also welcomed the Central Government’s Covid package and expressed the hope that it can be used for the State’s benefit. He also informed that the Central Government has appreciated the efforts of the State Government in dealing with the pandemic.

The Chief Minister today said that Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilisers, Shri D V Sadananda Gowda had an interaction today to take stock of the situation in Kerala. The Central Government has expressed keen interest in knowing more about the steps being taken and the action plan by the State Government in engaging with the situation here.

“We are well prepared to tackle any situation arising out of the Covid-19 spread. Everything is under control and there is no community spread, as of now. Apart from Government hospitals, we have at our service, 879 private hospitals in Kerala with 69,434 beds and 5,507 beds in ICU. 716 hostels with 15,333 rooms across the State have also been identified for converting them into isolation centres if required. Emergency maintenance works are being done to make these rooms ready,” he added.

He also informed that 19 fresh cases of Covid 19 have been reported in Kerala today taking the total number to 126 patients in hospitals.  Nine of the new patients are from Kannur District, three each from Kasargod and Malapurram Districts, two from Thrissur District, and one each from Idukki and Wayanad Districts. Two of them have returned from abroad and one is a local body representative.

Of the 136 cases reported so far in the State since the outbreak of the disease, ten has fully recovered. Six of them were discharged today – three each in Ernakulam and Kannur, out of which two are foreign nationals.

Giving further details, the CM added that the total number of people under observation in Kerala is 1,20,003 out of which 1,01,402 are in their own homes while 601 are hospitalised. 136 persons were admitted to hospitals today. 1,345 samples were sent for testing today and 3,768 tests reported negative.

In yet another novel initiative, the Food and Civil Supplies Department under the State government has decided to distribute food items and provisions through the PDS system to those who don’t have Ration Cards. This would be done using their Aadhaar Number and cross checking to ensure that their names don’t figure in any Ration Card.

The Chief Minister informed that since his announcement yesterday, 43 community kitchens have already started functioning in the State and they have commenced the distribution of food. 861 Panchayats (out of 941), all the 87 Municipalities and six Corporations have identified space in their respective areas for starting community kitchens. The food prepared there would be delivered to the needy with the help of volunteers.

The CM also announced the formation of a Community Volunteer Force (Saamuhya Sannadha Sena) which would help the State in assisting the administration during this pandemic and also, in times of a disaster. Youths in the age group of 22-40 can enrol in this Volunteer Force through sannadham.kerala.gov.in web portal. The idea is to have a 2,36,000 strong volunteer force which LSG bodies would be able to deploy on short notice. Home delivery of food and food items, locate & identify the marginalised to help them, be bystanders in hospitals and distribution of regional produce would be some of the tasks and responsibilities of this Volunteer Force

In view of the present circumstances, the Kerala Chief Minister’s media briefing was held through video conferencing today, with the Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan sitting in his Media room and the reporters sitting in the PR Chamber of the Information & Public Relations Department (I&PRD). The video feed of the briefing was made available to the channels for live telecast thereby reducing the number of camerapersons in the media room. The same feed was webcast through social media channels also