Context -Kerala stands out in India: some figures and facts

• The COVID curve in Kerala is flattening.

• Every day, for a week now, the number of recoveries has exceeded the number of new infections.

• The recovery rate in Kerala is nearly 50 per cent while the all-India average is around 11.

• While the mortality rate among the infected is 5 per cent in Kerala, the all-India average is 3.4 per cent.

• The transmission rate of a primary carrier is 6 while in Kerala it is only 0.4.

.Preparing for the next challenge

• Kerala is preparing for the next challenge, the outcome of which will determine the result of the war against COVID.

• Lifting of the lockdown is going to result in an influx of returning migrants from foreign countries and other states.

• Hundreds of thousands would have to be quarantined, tested and, if positive, treated, ensuring there is no secondary spread.

• State authorities have already identified accommodation and other facilities for more than two lakh persons.

• Use of big data analytics: The state is also exploring the possibility of big data analytics to plan a strategy and, if necessary, for reverse quarantining.

• Authorities have access to WHO data covering nearly two-thirds of the state`s population.

• Integrating this data with the information currently being generated, we will be able to map vulnerable sections of the population, simulate scenarios and plan ahead.

• Exit strategy: An exit strategy from the lockdown is being prepared to protect livelihoods and stimulate the economy.

Strength of the public health system of Kerala

• The single most important factor that enabled Kerala to be prepared for the COVID is the strength of the public health system.

• Kerala’s health system is a proud legacy of our past.

• It has had a big push in infrastructure and equipment investment of around Rs 4,000 crore from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board.

• Five thousand seven hundred and seventy-five new posts have also been created.

• The Aardram Health Mission was launched with a focus to transform the PHCs into family health centres.

• Distinctive feature: There is also the distinctive flavour of Kerala — mass participation in preventive and palliative healthcare.

• Training to health workers: The morale of health personnel has been exceptionally high.

• Special training, protective gear, scientific duty rotation and, most importantly, societal empathy and solidarity, have all contributed.

Learning from the past experience

• Nipah outbreak experience: The recent experiences of successful containment of the Nipah outbreak and management of the two post-flood health situations have provided a kind of herd immunity to the health workers to crisis situations.

• Covid-19 preparedness: Once news of the Wuhan pandemic came, the Kerala health system scrambled to readiness — the control room was set up, mock drills were organised and the first influx was contained.

• Once migrants from the Gulf and Europe began to return, things began to get out of hand.

• But now this battle has been successfully concluded.

Testing and tracing in Kerala

• A route map of each COVID positive case is prepared and given publicity, alerting everybody who might have been in contact.

• The protocol of cycles of intense test, trace, isolate and treatment has been the norm.

• Kerala has the highest test rate in the country.

• Break the Chain Campaign to promote social distancing has been successful.

• Lockdown by itself is not going to contain the COVID spread. It would continue to multiply within households and dormitories.

• Testing has been woefully insufficient in the national response so far.

Welfare payment in Kerala more than the rest of the country

• In Kerala, 55 lakh elderly and disadvantaged have received Rs 8,500 as welfare payments.

• An equal number of workers have been paid Rs 1,000-3,000 each from the welfare funds.

• Every family has been provided with a food kit.

• Interest-free consumption loan of Rs 2,000 crore has been distributed.

• Besides, nearly 4 lakh meals are distributed every day to the needy from community kitchens set up by local governments.

• Local governments are also duty-bound to monitor the camps of migrant workers, set up new ones and ensure medicine and food to them.

Decentralisation paying off in Kerala

• All the above was not made possible by the state government alone.

• It is the synergy generated by integrating state government plans and programmes with the local governments, the co-operatives, women neighbourhood groups (Kudumbashree) and civil society organisations that make Kerala distinct.

• The floods and the pandemic have given testimony for the potential of democratic decentralisation.

• It is a case of multi-level planning with technical committees and groups working at the state level coordinated by the chief minister.

Conclusion

Though it is too early to declare Kerala as a success story, still there are many lessons to be learned by the rest of the country in its fight against Covid-19.