Kerala reports 2,133 new Covid-19 cases and 3,753 recoveries on Thursday, TPR at 3.05%

Kerala health minister KK Shailaja has informed that the state has reported 2,133 positive Covid-19 cases on Thursday.

In a Facebook post, Shailaja added that Kerala also reported 3,753 recoveries and 13 deaths. In the past 24 hours, the state tested 69,838 samples and the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) is 3.05%.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry has expressed concern over the rising Covid-19 cases in a few states but is worried about the crisis in Maharashtra.

“We are very worried about Maharashtra. This is a serious matter,” said NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul in a press meet today. “This has two lessons – don't take the virus for granted and if we have to remain Covid-19 free, then, we need to follow the Covid appropriate behaviour,” Dr Paul added.

Even the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) is worried as the mutant Coronavirus strain has not been found incriminating in rising cases. “Maharashtra has shown a worrisome trend. The mutant strain has not been found incriminating in this surge in cases. It is just related to reduced testing, tracking and tracing and Covid-19 inappropriate behaviour and large congregations,” said ICMR Director-General Dr Balram Bhargava.

Maharashtra recorded 13,659 new cases on Wednesday. This is the highest one-day spike in Maharashtra this year and, the caseload has risen to 22,52,057.

“Today, Maharashtra has more than 1 lakh active cases. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana are at the tipping point. We have had three meetings with these states where they are told to pull up their socks,” said Union Health Ministry secretary Rajesh Bhushan adding that Covid-19 cases in Kerala has halved but doubled in Maharashtra.

The Health Ministry informed that India has administered 2.43 crore vaccinations. According to reports, 71% of vaccine doses administered in public health facilities and 28.77% by private facilities.

Bhushan also informed that there is no vaccine shortage in any state in the country. “We have re-negotiated the price for the vaccine. The re-negotiated price is significantly lower,” he said.