With a noticeable uptick in Covid-19 cases across Kerala, State Health Minister Veena George has issued a public advisory stressing the need for heightened vigilance, particularly to safeguard the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
The minister noted that while the current dominant strains in Kerala—Omicron JN.1 subvariants LF.7 and XFG—are not known to cause severe illness, their high transmissibility poses a significant public health concern. “Masks should be worn in public places and while travelling,” she advised, adding that genomic sequencing is ongoing to closely monitor virus mutations.
Currently, Kerala has 2,223 active Covid cases, with 96 patients undergoing treatment, many of whom are also battling other illnesses. Ernakulam district leads with 431 cases, followed by Kottayam with 426 and Thiruvananthapuram with 365.
Hospitals across the state have been directed to conduct Covid tests for anyone presenting with symptoms such as cold, sore throat, cough, or shortness of breath. Additionally, the health department has instructed facilities to ensure sufficient oxygen supply and avoid referring patients to private hospitals unless absolutely necessary.
Following a recent meeting with the state’s Rapid Response Team (RRT), the minister emphasized the importance of preventive measures: “People with symptoms should avoid unnecessary hospital visits. Masks are mandatory in hospitals, and hand hygiene through soap or sanitizer is essential.”
Nationally, India has reported 6,815 active Covid-19 cases as of Tuesday, including 163 instances of the XFG variant, according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
Former ICMR Director General Dr. Balram Bhargava stated that the emergence of the XFG variant is part of the virus’s natural evolutionary process. However, he reassured the public that India’s diagnostic infrastructure, including platforms like Truenat, ensures early detection and swift containment of new variants.
The Kerala government continues to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour as a precautionary measure against further spread.
