“It is an unfortunate turn of events”- Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala, 23^rd April 2020: Corona Virus or COVID-19 has already stirred up its existence all over the world, with its outset in Kerala. The world has witnessed its first COVID-19 patient in Kerala. The patient is a student in China’s Wuhan University and is being closely monitored. The confirmed cases of Kerala reach 437 along with the recovered number of patients being 49 till 20^th April confirmation. Kerala has seen its first death of a 69-year-old man in Kochi Medical College on 28^th of March. As said by the Kerala Government, The Union Ministry of Home Affairs announces a statement on 17^th April about a revised circulation guideline for lockdown measures. This was about reactivating some travel facilities to travel short distances which include local shops, bus services in the main cities of Kerala.

The Chief Minister of Kerala Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan along with the Health Ministry have decided to divide the state in four zones (Red, Orange A, Orange B, Green) in order to identify the hotspots and safe zones. The Red zone areas are strictly prohibited to withdraw lockdown until it’s completely safe. The Orange A zone can partly start their activities from 24^th April if not changed. The Orange B zone has already started their activities within short distances and the Green zone is totally safe and sound. Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram districts are declared to be in the Red zone. Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Kollam fall under the Orange A zone. Alappuzha, Trivandrum, Palakkad, Wayanad and Thrissur are in the Orange B zone and the rest are in Green zone. PTI reports, in Kerala, one person each from Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta and Malappuram and three individuals from Ernakulam district are kept in isolation wards of several health centres. CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that cooperation of public is immensely needed in such a pandemic situation to keep Kerala safe. He further added, “However it’s too soon to assume that we’re out of danger…” Moreover, alike China, Kerala is also using robots for the health worker’s fight against COVID-19. The robot is named “Nightingale-19” which is deployed to provide food and medicines among the patients at the coronavirus centre in Ancharakandi in Kannur district, where a huge number of cases have been reported. The robot also has a special facility to it which allows the patients to communicate with health workers as well as their relatives if necessary, according to the health minister’s office.

Education Minister Mr. C. Raveendranath held a meeting with the Vice- Chancellor of Kerala University, Dr. V.P. Mahadevan Pillai and decided to arrange the University examinations on a provisional date of 11^th May, with Mr. Raveendranath stating about the importance and necessity of the examinations for the youngsters in the state. Meanwhile an educational committee was formed under the leadership of Dr. B Ekbal, Member (Education and Health) Planning Board and former Vice-Chancellor, the Kerala University to help in the examination process.

According to the government order from the Higher Education Department, Kerala, “Universities shall make arrangements for conducting the balance examinations starting from May 11, 2020 and home valuation starting from April 20, 2020. The examinations may be conducted in such a manner that they can be completed in a week’s time”.

Picture Courtesy: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/kerala-declares-coronavirus-state-calamity-to-intensify-efforts-to-contain-virus-in