60 MBBS students contract COVID-19 in Thrissur

THRISSUR: On the second day of easing COVID restrictions in the state during the eve of Bakrid, reports of 60 medical students at Thrissur Government Medical College contracting COVID-19 have poured in.

The students of MBBS and post graduate batches were diagnosed with the disease. Apart from students, 10 patients who had undergone surgery also tested COVID positive. As the students were confirmed with COVID, classes of both batches were suspended.

A total of 50 MBBS students and 10 PG students including those working in gynecology and surgery departments tested COVID positive.

Medical college authorities are considering closing down of the hostel and a decision in this regard is expected soon. Majority of the students who tested positive were already vaccinated.

About 10 patients in the post-surgery ward were diagnosed with COVID. Thirteen employees of Indian Coffee House on the hospital campus were also confirmed with the disease, initial reports say. All affected students have been quarantined. It is a mater of concern that students who have been on hospital duty in the past few days have come into contact with patients and bystanders.

As an employee of the Coffee House died ater contracting the disease, the rest were tested and spread of the disease was confirmed.

Ater six months since the vaccination drive began in the state, more than 100,000 healthcare workers are awaiting the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Over 100,000 frontline workers including police have not received the second dose of vaccine. Experts say two doses of vaccine are mandatory for developing immunity against the virus. Nearly 50 to 100 healthcare personnel are turning COVID-19 positive daily.

According to health department statistics, 524,000 healthcare workers have taken first dose of COVID vaccine.

Those who took the second dose stood at 442,000, thus over 103,000 are awaiting the second jab. In Ernakulam about 17,000 healthcare personnel are yet to get the second dose. Their numbers in Trivandrum and Malappuram are 15,000 and 10,000 respectively.

Health department officials say the delay has been caused due the decision to fix 84 days gap between the first and second doses.

Those contracting COVID-19 ater geting the first dose are administered the second dose late. The department has directed the district authorities to administer vaccine to the frontline workers at the earliest.

More than 50 per cent of people above 18 years of age have been given the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19.