Thiruvananthapuram, July 27: Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today informed that 45% of the 12,801 beds available in 101 Covid First-Line Treatment Centres (CFLTCs) are now occupied. He also announced that more CFLTCs are being prepared and additional manpower resources required will be mobilised.

Briefing the media, the Chief Minister said, “In the second phase, 229 CFLTCs with 30,598 beds are being made ready and in the third phase, there will be 480 CFLTCs with 36,400 beds. The basic CFLTC team consists of a medical officer, a co-team leader, a staff nurse, two lab technicians and two pharmacists. These numbers will be increased as required. 1,679 personnel were trained for the Covid Brigade. The training for others will begin immediately.”

It is expected that the spread of the disease will increase in the coming days. Steps are being taken to face the situation by preparing more CFLTCs and finding additional manpower. Students who have completed their studies from the Health University courses will be deployed at CFLTCs. LSG bodies will provide accommodation and other facilities to such appointees. The Department of Health has directed the university to prepare the details for the deployment of these students.

The CM also said that the disease outbreaks are occurring in many clusters and the numbers of clusters are also increasing. There is a consensus on tightening the restrictions in these places. The intervention of the police will be further increased to control violations. Legal action will be taken against those who cause the spread of the disease through their irresponsible behaviour.

He also announced that epidemiologists will conduct studies on clusters and places where clusters are likely to form. Long-term projects are being planned for sustaining the Covid defence measures over a long period.