The government of Kerala, which has been largely successful in limiting deaths from COVID-19 to 35 until July 15, has kicked off the third phase of the ‘Break the Chain Campaign’. The ‘Vigilance as Valuable as Life’ campaign is to alert the people to stay vigilant. Among the COVID-19 patients, 60 per cent are asymptomatic and staying vigilant is necessary as there are chances of COVID-19 from anyone, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
“We can identify patients who have symptoms. But it is impossible to identify COVID-19 patients who are asymptomatic. Hence, the government is warning that one can contract the virus from anyone around us. We may contract the virus from markets, places of employment, vehicles, hospitals and other public places.
So always maintain a safe distance of two metres,” directed the Chief Minister. “Apart from maintaining a safe distance of two metres, make sure that you wear a mask and wash your hands using soap or sanitiser. Never allow crowding at any place,” he said.
“So far, we have been successful in keeping the COVID-19 mortality rate low with our vigilance in following the preventive measures. Hence, our vigilance has the value of life,” the Chief Minister said.
On July 15, 623 people tested positive for coronavirus in Kerala. An alarming number of 432 cases had contracted the disease through contact. While 96 came from abroad, 76 came from other states. 196 patients were cured of the deadly disease
It is for the second consecutive day Kerala recorded over 600 COVID-19 cases. Sources of 37 are yet to be traced.
Kerala launched a ‘break the chain’ campaign to fend off the COVID-19 spread on March 16, in the wake of a second wave of infections after a virus carrier family returning from Italy had created a cluster in Pathanamthitta district.
