No Need to Panic Over COVID-19 Surge, Says Kerala Health Minister Veena George

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s Health Minister, Veena George, has reassured the public that there is no cause for alarm regarding the current COVID-19 situation in the state. She attributed the seemingly higher number of cases in Kerala to the state’s rigorous testing and accurate reporting.

“While the transmissibility of COVID-19 is high, its severity remains low,” the Minister stated. She advised individuals with other underlying health conditions to wear masks in public places and urged everyone to avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals.

“COVID-19 cases always appear higher in Kerala because we conduct extensive testing and record the data accurately. Therefore, there’s no need for any concern,” the Minister explained. “We are conducting very close monitoring of the situation. Although it has been proven that the variant is not highly severe, its transmissibility is high.”

Minister George further emphasized that COVID-19 becomes severe primarily for those with pre-existing medical conditions. She reiterated the importance of healthcare workers strictly adhering to infection control protocols. “Those with other illnesses must certainly wear masks and take special precautions,” the Health Minister stressed.

In light of the spread of the disease in Southeast Asian countries, surveillance has been intensified across the state. A high-level meeting, led by senior officials from the central government, was convened to assess the current situation. The Centre has advised states not to panic but to maintain vigilance.