A file image Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A small number of COVID cases have been reported from the State, but there is no need for concern as testing and treatment facilities, including medicines, oxygen and ICU beds, have been ensured, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
At a press conference here on Thursday (May 29, 2025), Mr. Vijayan said that the total number of active COVID in the State was 727 and the majority of them were in Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha districts. He said the cases in Kerala were mostly caused by Omicron JN variant LF7 that is reported in southeast Asian countries.
In the wake of the increase in COVID cases, the Health Minister had called a State-level meeting of rapid response teams and directed that ample precautions be taken, he said. The Minister also held district-level meetings to assess the situation in the State, he added.
Directive on masks
“Those with symptoms such as cold, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath must wear masks. It is also advisable for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with serious illnesses to wear masks in public places and while traveling. Masks have been made mandatory in hospitals. Health workers must wear masks,” Mr. Vijayan said. He said the Health department was closely monitoring the increase in COVID cases in the State.
The Chief Minister further said that since it was the monsoon season, constant vigilance against infectious diseases was necessary. He advised extreme caution against leptospirosis infection as it can be severe. He said that those involved in relief operations or dealing with soil and sewage must take doxycycline as per the instructions of health workers to prevent leptospirosis infection.
Mr. Vijayan also warned against the possibility of water-borne diseases and said that only boiled water should be consumed.
Published – May 30, 2025 01:50 am IST
