Need extreme caution against mutant virus: CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has cautioned against the rapid spread of the mutant Coronavirus in the state. “Testing will be increased, there is high chance of an increase in death rate and steps are onto increase the oxygen stock in the hospitals in the wake of this new development,” he said.
The risk assessment study conducted on the three genetically-modified viruses found in the state evaluated the spread of the disease, the risk of death and the ability to make the vaccine ineffective. Accordingly, they have been found to accelerate the spread of the disease. Another issue is whether mutated viruses increase mortality. “If the number of patients increases beyond the handling capacity of our health system, the situation will turn awful. We need to strictly follow the disease preventive measures to avoid such a situation,” the chief minister said.
“If the caseload increases further, then hospitals will be flooded with patients and we would not be able to provide adequate care and treatment. Such a situation should not arise here. Hence, we have decided to take all the precautions now itself,” the CM said.
He said the numbers of Covid-infected people and the rate of the disease spread continue unabated. “There is the presence of genetically mutant virus (double mutant variant) on a large scale. There has been a 255% increase in active cases in the state in the last two weeks. The situation across the state is grim,” he added.
The core committee reviewed the stock of the oxygen in the hospitals and directions have been given to increase the oxygen production to meet any emergency. It has also been decided to increase the number of oxygen beds in the hospitals and the Covid first line treatment centres. The ESI hospitals have also decided to set apart the beds for the Covid positive people, the CM said.
“Screening will be augmented at railway stations, airports and in places where there is a large number of guest workers. Oxygen requirements will be proactively addressed and steps have been taken to increase the number of oxygen beds,” he said.
We still have a limitation on the number of healthcare workers. The Covid Brigade has 13,625 personnel, including doctors and nurses, but this is inadequate in the present situation. More people should come forward to join the Covid Brigade, he added.
The issues related to online registration for vaccination can be resolved only if enough vaccine stocks are available. The government is taking necessary steps to address the vaccine shortage, he said.