Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today informed that Covid First-Line Treatment Centres are being set up across the State as part of strengthening the medical infrastructure facilities and to meet the needs of the rapidly increasing numbers of Coronavirus patients.

 Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said, “Covid First-Line Treatment Centres are public health centres specially designed to combat the Covid outbreak. These are used as regional centres with essential facilities that do not affect the functioning of the existing public health system in the event of a community spread.”

Local Self Government bodies have identified hotels, halls, and colleges for setting up first-line treatment centres. These centres functioning under the respective LSG bodies will be supervised by the concerned Primary/Family/Community Health Centres or Taluk Hospitals. Medicines, Pulse Oximeters, BP apparatus and other required medical equipments are being set up here. The activities are led by expert health professionals.

Once the test result is reported positive from the District Control Room or the relevant health facility, the patient will be transferred to Covid First-Line Treatment Centre in a specially equipped ambulance.

“In the current situation, those who have an antigen test positive and no symptoms will have to be taken to the First Line Treatment Centers. People who do not have symptoms are more likely to get the disease. In this way, there is potential for community spread. Therefore, it is advisable for those who are positive with no symptoms to be shifted to these centres. Such people should follow the instructions of the health workers and go without any objection. Once the test result is negative, they will be sent back home from the Centres as per the government norms”, the CM said.

Severely ill patients are treated in Covid hospitals with ventilator-ICU facilities and less critically ill patients will be treated at Covid First-Line Treatment Centres. Two Covid hospitals and first-line Covid treatment centres have been set up in each of the districts.

“Private hospitals are also allowed to treat Covid patients. The Departments of Health, Local Self Government and Disaster Management are jointly setting up more treatment centres with 50,000 beds. Small and medium private hospitals will be also be allowed to run the first line Covid treatment centres”, the CM added.

The CM also warned the hypermarkets for operating ignoring the legal instructions and warnings of the government and the police regarding the lockdown. There has been an increase in Covid cases because of their irresponsible actions. He directed the police to take strict action against the owners and operators of these establishments under the relevant laws, including the Kerala Infectious Diseases Ordinance.