Kerala records first Corona death
Kin not to get body of the deceased; Ernakulam collector to monitor burial proceedings
The first Covid-19 death was reported in Kerala on Saturday after a 69-yearold patient succumbed to the infection at the government medical college, Ernakulam.
Health minister, K.K. Shailaja, said Yakub Husain Sait suffered from serious health issues.
“The patient had a history of serious issues. After undergoing bypass heart surgery, the patient was under treatment for cardiac problems and had high blood pressure. His condition deteriorated further after contracting the coronavirus infection,” she said.
The minister said the team of doctors tried its best to save the patient's life. Four more patients who have multiple health issues are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals across the state.
Shailaja said Sait’s body will not be handed over to his relatives to prevent the spread of the disease.
“We have shown the video footage of the body to his wife and close relatives. The body will be buried deep, complying with the WHO protocol and guidelines,” she added.
While the Ernakulam collector will monitor the burial proceedings, the administration has allowed only four persons, who will be in safety gear, to be present at that time in the burial grounds.
Sait reached Kerala on March 16 and was tested positive on March 22. All
49 persons who came along with him on the flight are under surveillance.
The close relative who received him at airport and the taxi driver who took him had also tested positive earlier.
One death and six more cases of Covid-19 were reported in Kerala on Saturday.
1.34 lakh persons are under surveillance
Two of the cases were from Thiruvanant-hapuram and one each from Kollam, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kasargod.
As many as 1.34 lakh persons are under surveillance including 1.33 lakh in home quarantine and the rest in hospitals.
On Saturday, 148 persons were admitted to hospitals. Of the 6,067 samples sent for testing, 5,276 were found negative.
The government has decided to postpone the forthcoming state entrance examinations in
view of the lockdown.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said those under surveillance and quarantine will be monitored closely.
A committee of health experts has been constituted to examine if there is any community spread of the novel coronavirus disease.
Health officials have decided to conduct random rapid test among the community to check the status.
The results will be available instantly helping the authorities to ascertain community spread if any.
A panel of people drawn from industry, research centres, laboratories and other agencies will oversee manufacturing of N95 masks, ventilators, safety
kits for health workers, oxygen cylinders and biomedical equipment.
An industrial cluster is being set up in Kanjikode in Palakkad district for manufacturing these products. The assistance of Vikram Sarabhai Space Research Centre will be sought for the purpose.
The government has decided to launch a ‘break corona’ scheme to invite ideas from the people on tackling the infection.
Ideas and suggestions on manufacturing masks, supporting people under quarantine, creating jobs and coming out with income generating proposals during the crisis period can be submitted on breakcorona.in.
A panel of experts will examine the suggestions and take follow-up action.
The Chief Minister said that there will be no ban on distribution of newspapers as it has already been brought under essential services. There have been complaints that resident welfare associations are opposing distribution of newspapers in their localities and apartment complexes.
Mr Vijayan said community kitchens were functioning effectively across the state.
On Friday 52,480 food packets were distributed through these kitchens of which 41,850 were given free. Over 31,000 packets were delivered to the needy at their doorsteps.
The Kerala police on Saturday registered 1,220 cases for violation of lockdown norms, arrested 1,258 persons and
impounded 792 vehicles across the state.
DGP Loknath Behara sought an explanation from Kannur SP Yatish Chandra for making a group of people “murga” (hold their ears through legs).
He was told that only lawful action would be permitted.
The SP caught these people standing in a group at Azheekal in Kannur district. They were made to write on a paper “I will not violate directions. I will stay at home as per the instructions of the health department,” before being let-off.
The video of the people being given punishment went viral with the officer receiving widespread criticism on the social media.