Kerala reported 265 fresh COVID-19 infections and one death due to the disease in the last 24 hours, according to data on the Union Health Ministry website on Friday.
Published Dec 22, 2023 | 2:23 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 22, 2023 | 3:55 PM
Health experts emphasise the importance of continued mask usage to prevent the spread of Covid-19. (Creative Common)
Kerala reported 265 fresh Covid-19 infections and one death due to the infection in the last 24 hours, according to data on the Union Health Ministry website on Friday, 22 December.
Of the 328 infections reported nationwide till 8 am on Friday, 265 were from Kerala, taking the active cases in the state to 2,606, as per the website.
With one more death reported in the state, the total number of people who have died due to Covid-19 in Kerala since its outbreak three years ago reached 72,060.
The number of people who were cured, discharged, or migrated in the last 24 hours after being diagnosed with the infection stood at 275. With that, the total number of cases under this category rose to 68,37,689 till date.
The state reported 300 new Covid-19 infections and three deaths due to the infection on Thursday.
On Tuesday, Health Minister Veena George reassured the people of the state that despite the rise in Covid cases in Kerala, there is no cause for alarm. The hospitals are adequately equipped to manage virus infections, she said.
In Southern states, Tamil Nadu reported 15 new cases, while Karnataka reported 13 cases, Telangana reported five new cases, and Andhra Pradesh has three new cases by Friday morning.
The country’s Covid-19 tally now stands at 4.50 crore (4,50,07,212). The death toll climbed to 5,33,328 with one more fatality reported from Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated on Friday.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,44,70,887. The national recovery rate stands at 98.81 percent, according to the Health Ministry’s website.
The case fatality rate stands at 1.19 percent.
According to the Health Ministry’s website, 220.67 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in the country so far.
Due to a surge in Covid-19 cases in Karnataka, the Associated Managements of Primary & Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) has issued a precautionary advisory. Schools in the state are cautious due to the increase in Covid-19 cases.
KAMS is advising schools to prohibit unwell students from attending classes and to implement regular temperature checks, sanitisation of school premises, and mandatory mask-wearing. In response to the situation, some schools have already begun monitoring students’ temperatures.
According to the advisory, if a student feels unwell while at school, they should be directed to an isolation room, provided with first aid, and the parents should be notified.
With Christmas Day approaching, many schools are preparing to announce holidays and winter vacations. In light of this, the advisory emphasises the need for school management to raise awareness among parents to be vigilant and avoid crowded places amid the surge in Covid-19 cases.
Schools are also reminded to take precautionary measures after the vacation, as some students may be returning from trips outside the state.
The official communication to schools emphasises, “Immediately post-vacation, implement additional measures for students with a travel history to different states/countries.”
KAMS General Secretary D Shashi Kumar is urging school management to exercise extra caution during school trips, adhere to government guidelines, and carry portable oxygen kits and other emergency medical supplies.
