Kerala’s Covid Crisis Deepens: 265 New Cases, 80% of India’s Active Infections

Kerala reported 265 fresh Covid-19 cases and one death in the last 24 hours, propelling the state’s total coronavirus-related fatalities over the past three years to 72,060. Alarming is the fact that Kerala now represents over 80% of India’s active Covid cases, according to the Press Trust of Kashmir report.

Despite a ray of hope with 275 recoveries in the same period, bringing the cumulative count to 68,37,689, the state recorded a slight increase from the previous day’s 300 new COVID-19 cases and three fatalities. State health minister Veena George chaired a meeting stressing the importance of vigilance and announced compulsory mask-wearing in all state hospitals, particularly focusing on Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts, the hotspots for recent cases. Minister George reassured the public that hospitals are well-equipped to manage virus infections.

Meanwhile, at the national level, India reported 640 new Covid-19 infections, witnessing a rise in active cases from 2,669 to 2,997. The total Covid-19 count in the country has surpassed 4.50 crore, with a death toll reaching 5,33,328. The recovery rate stands strong at 98.81%, with 4,44,70,887 recoveries. The case fatality rate remains at 1.19%, and the country has administered an impressive 220.67 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine.

The situation in Kerala emphasizes the need for heightened vigilance and stringent measures, even as the nation continues its battle against the pandemic.