To combat the rise in coronavirus cases, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared a statewide lockdown from May 8 to 16. Currently, a night curfew is in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., including weekend curfews including lockdowns.
To combat the deadly spread of the second wave of pathogens, most states have implemented partial lockdowns or containment measures.
The center’s top scientific advisor cautioned yesterday that a third outbreak of coronavirus is “inevitable,” and that vaccinations will need to be “updated” to cope with the latest strains that have overwhelmed hospitals and killed thousands.
On the question of nationwide lockdown, NITI Aayog member and chief of the national expert group on vaccines VK Paul said, “…If anything more is required those options are always being discussed. There’s already a guideline to states to impose restrictions to suppress chain of transmission.”
India has passed the dreadful 2 lakh Covid deaths mark
Prime Minister Narendra Modi compared the second wave of coronavirus to a hurricane in his address to the nation last month, urging state governments to use lockdowns only as a last resort. To combat the virus, he emphasised micro containment steps and Covid-appropriate conduct.
Kerala’s state health department announced an all-time high of 41,953 regular COVID-19 infections on Thursday, bringing the total caseload to 17,43,932. The positivity rate – the percentage of people who get screened for Covid who get positive results – dropped slightly to 25.69 percent.
Mr. Vijayan said on Tuesday that the number of cases could increase due to the high test positivity rate. The high test positivity rate in the state could lead to an increase in cases.
