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Covid Second Wave: What Went Wrong In Kerala?

By Linus Garg
First publised on 2021-09-04 06:23:57

About the Author

Sunil Garodia Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.

What went wrong in Kerala? Why is the state that was cited as the shining example of Covid management during the first wave get it so horrendously wrong in the second wave that it is contributing nearly 75% percent of fresh cases to the national tally on daily basis for the last several weeks? With fresh cases in Kerala showing no signs of tapering yet, it is clear that the state has grossly mismanaged the situation through wrong decisions and inefficient monitoring.

Kerala has the best social development indicators in the country. It has 100% literacy and its healthcare system is one of the best in the country. There have been no reports of vaccine hesitancy and literate people are more likely to adhere to health advisories issued by the government. Then why are infections surging?

Reports suggest that the government has faltered in enforcing localized containment zone policy, repeatedly suggested by the Centre as the best way to curb the spread. Administrations in all districts of Kerala have been extremely lax in identifying clusters and placing severe restrictions on the movement of people to and from these clusters. Consequently, there has been no check and people have been mingling and spreading the virus.

It has also been reported that for those testing positive, the check on whether they are being quarantined at home is also not being carried out. Since it is well known that the virus spreads through contact, government laxity in ensuring home quarantine for infected persons is surprising. There are many ways, marking a building where the infected person stays, for instance and frequent calls from local health centres (as done in West Bengal, for example) in which the government can keep tabs.

The way the situation is going out of hand in Kerala, it seems that the laxity is going to cost the state as the number of unmonitored infected persons may probably start the third wave, which, given the huge current numbers, will be more damaging. The state has to apply its mind and enforce the containment zone policy with strictness and ensure that the infected persons are quarantined at home. 

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