Kerala Health Minister Veena George Says COVID-19 Cases Decreasing In State

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that COVID-19 cases are decreasing and that testing has increased. George said that more cases of mucormycosis (Black Fungus) are being reported and that there are currently around 44 or 46 cases of Black Fungus.

On May 24, Health Minister Veena George said that the COVID-19 situation is “under control”. George added that while “daily deaths have been seeing an increase lately but the death rate is still low”. She said that in Kerala, for every 100 cases of COVID-19 there are three deaths reported. George said that the “current increase must be seen in the context of the huge peak from recent weeks.”

George said that the Kerala government was focusing on increasing the supply of COVID-19 vaccines. She said that Kerala received 91 lakh doses. George also said that 49 per cent of the people above the age of 45 years have been vaccinated by at least one dose. Twenty per cent of the people above the age of 45 have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

On Monday, 17,821 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded and 196 COVID-19 deaths were reported, the state’s highest single-day count. On May 1, there were fewer than 50 COVID-19 related deaths. There was a decrease in the positivity rate and a decline in daily COVID-19 cases.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George replaced KK Shailaja, who had received international praise for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.  George said that “Taking charge as a minister is challenging, and especially the health portfolio amid a pandemic.” She added that “KK Shailaja is a senior party leader and is definitely around.”

The Kerala High Court asked the centre to provide a timeframe for vaccination and a supply of doses to states. The centre responded that there was “no fixed target for dispensation of vaccines” to states and Union Territories.