The Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today informed that at present, there are 59 testing centres in the government sector and 51 in the private sector. Initially, there was only PCR test but now all types of tests are being conducted.

“The number of testing centres and tests will be further increased. The tariff for Covid treatment in private hospitals has been fixed. Many private hospitals have now started Covid treatment centres. Two self-financed private medical colleges in Kannur and Wayanad have been set aside only for Kovid treatment”, he added.

The Chief Minister reiterated that some people are continuing to mislead the public through their propaganda. “The State has taken all efforts to contain the outbreak of the pandemic. The fight against Covid is similar to a marathon which is a true test of endurance. Kerala still has one of the lowest case-fatality rates in the world. The case fatality rate in Kerala is 0.33% much less than the national average. Even at this time, the low mortality rate in an area with such a high population density, geriatric population and high incidence of diseases indicates that Kerala’s defence is excellent. Kerala is also far ahead in testing. We perform 44 tests per positive case. The improved situation here is a result of the care and vigilance we have shown in combating the Covid pandemic. Kerala is the only state in India that traces secondary contacts. Very few places have shown the kind of caution and preparation that we have shown.”

Minister of Health & Social Justice, Smt K K Shailaja; Revenue Minister, Shri E Chandrasekharan, and Chief Secretary, Dr Vishwas Mehta IAS, were also present for the briefing.