Number of COVID care centres to be reduced in Ernakulam

Health Department urges public not to lose vigil

The number of domiciliary care centres for COVID patients will be limited to one per taluk in the wake of the overall dip in test positivity rate and the number of active cases in Ernakulam.

The decision comes close on the heels of the inference by the Health Department that the coronavirus has turned less virulent. The authorities are also banking on the report of the third round of sero survey, which stated that at least 70% of the population may have achieved natural immunity against COVID-19 post second wave.

Presently, the district has a total of 25 domiciliary, first-line and second-line treatment centres. Of this, the number of domiciliary care centres is 15 while the corresponding figures of first-line and second-line treatment centres are four and six respectively. Of the four first-line treatment centres, one is in the private sector. The number of domiciliary care centres in September was around 40. There were 11 first-line and seven second-line treatment centres in the district last month.