Kerala logs 182 COVID cases in May; Health Minister Veena George says ‘We need to be prepared’

Kerala has recorded 182 fresh Covid-19 cases so far in May, leading state health authorities to issue new guidelines requesting for mask use and caution, particularly among vulnerable groups. Health Minister Veena George said “We need to be prepared” as cases rise in other countries.

After conducting a meeting of the state Rapid Response Team (RRT) in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, George said there is a likelihood of increase in infections after similar trends in Southeast Asia.

Health Minister Veena George on COVID cases in Kerala

“The public must remain vigilant. Cases are rising in other countries, and we need to be prepared,” Business Standard quoted George as saying.

Kottayam saw the highest number of infections at 57 after Ernakulam (34) and Thiruvananthapuram (30), the minister said. George added that state-level surveillance has been stepped up, with the government closely tracking both infection trends and hospitalisation rates.

Kerala’s total Covid cases for May surpassed 250 earlier this week, coinciding with a rise in infections across Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand. George highlighted that the Omicron sub-variants JN.1, LF.7, and NB 1.8, currently circulating in Southeast Asia, are highly contagious but seem to result in milder symptoms.

Yale Medicine states that JN.1 is a subvariant of BA.2.86 (also known as ‘Pirola’) and carries a single mutation in its spike protein. This mutation may help the virus evade immunity, although the exact severity of the variant is still being researched.

Kerala Health Department issues advisory

1. Individuals showing symptoms like cold, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath are advised to wear masks.

2. Wearing masks is mandatory when visiting hospitals.

3. Pregnant women, senior citizens, and those with weakened immune systems are urged to wear masks in public settings.

4. Healthcare workers are required to wear masks while on duty.

5. Guidelines on testing and preparedness have been issued.

6. Hospitals have been instructed to conduct RT-PCR tests for symptomatic visitors and maintain adequate supplies of testing kits and protective gear.