THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the state witnessing a spike in Covid-19 cases, a massive testing drive was started on Friday aimed at covering 2.5 lakh people in two days. At least 1,33,836 persons were tested in the state on the day, with
Kozhikode recording the highest, 19,300, followed by Ernakulam, 16,210 and Thiruvananthapuram, 14,087.
However, for the second day, vaccine shortage was reported and camps were reportedly stopped in many districts with the stocks running out.
Unless the consignment from the Centre reaches the state on time, the vaccination drive in many districts will be affected on Saturday.
The Centre had assured the state to deliver two lakh vaccines by Friday night. The state had demanded 50 lakh vaccines to cover all the people above 45 years. It is estimated that 1.5 crore people belong to the age group of above 45 years in the state.
At present, only hospitals have the Covid-19 vaccines, in limited supply. However, due to the shortage of vaccines, long queues are witnessed in many places.
Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Idukki,
Alappuzha, and Kozhikode are the districts that are the worst hit by the vaccine shortage.
The state health department aims to cover the target group, including those who had public exposure during the assembly election, by Saturday evening.
The district-wise target set by the department is Kozhikode, 31,400, Ernakulam, 30,900,
Malappuram, 26,200, Thiruvananthapuram, 22,600, Thrissur, 21,400, Kannur, 19,500, Kottayam, 17,800,
Kollam, 15,600, Palakkad, 15,600, Alappuzha, 14,100, Kasaragod, 11,000, Pathanamthitta, 9,300, Idukki, 8,100, and Wayanad, 6,500.
Meanwhile, the health department has asked the district health administrations to collect samples from schools, colleges, offices, factories, industries, and workplaces.
Those who recovered from Covid-19 in the last three months are excluded from
RT-PCR tests unless they are symptomatic. The people who have taken two doses of vaccination and are asymptomatic are also excluded from the testing.