Kerala prepares for stage III of coronavirus `20k-cr stimulus as 1 more case turns +ve

Local bodies to identify buildings for surveillance, food supply in quarantine period

Local bodies in Kerala have been asked to identify buildings, hospitals, schools, lodges, auditoriums where those with Covid-19 symptoms could be put under surveillance. The arrangements are being made to deal with possible spurt in cases during stage III.

Even a small lapse could prove disastrous, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told elected office bearers of local bodies during a videoconference.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala joined Mr Vijayan in the video conference, sending out a message that the government and the Opposition are on the same page in dealing with the disease.

The Chief Minister said that things were under control but the state needs to be fully prepared to meet any challenge. In case there is a spurt in cases the existing facilities would not be enough to meet the requirement.

Mr Vijayan said a large number of persons might be put under surveillance in the next stage. Facilities will be required for accommodating people who have come to state as travellers and those who do not have permanent homes here.

The Chief Minister said a large number of persons might be put under surveillance in the next stage.

Facilities will be required to accommodate people who came to state as travellers

The Chief Minister said 99 per cent of people under surveillance are in homes. The local bodies will have to take the responsibility of protecting them on a priority basis. Basic needs like food, medicines should be provided to people and the local bodies should ensure they do not have any problems.

In a significant announcement, Mr Vijayan said that the people under home quarantine will be termed as people under special care.

In view of the recent instances of people under surveillance jumping from isolation wards and homes, the government has decided to rope in local leaders for preventing such incidents. Without using force, the people should be convinced to stay indoors.

The CM also issued strict warning to traders against creating artificial scarcity of essential commodities. The government will take measures to ensure continuous supply of goods.

One more person tested positive for Covid-19 in Kerala on Thursday, taking the total number of cases who are currently under treatment to 25.

As on Thursday, 31,137 people are under surveillance across the state including 30,927 under home quarantine. As many as 237 persons are in isolation wards in hospitals including 64 who were admitted on Thursday and

6,103 persons were brought under surveillance. Of the 2,920 samples sent for testing, 2,342 have been found negative.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced a slew of economic and financial assistance measures worth

`20,000 crore to deal with the situation arising out of

Covid-19.