Page 65 - Kerala calling OCTOBER 2020

measures, cases have been increasing a multi-dimensional achievement Centres (CSLTCs) and COVID -
and by the first week of October, for which the foundation had been care centres (centres for institutional
the daily numbers have gone above laid long before. The efficient and quarantine) to prevent a compromise
10,000. However, the COVID 19 receptive health system with its on case management.
death rate in the state has been wide distribution and integrated
commendably low, reporting a actions up to the primary care level Timely referrals ensured appropriate
fatality of 0.35%, compared to the may be called the backbone behind resource utilization and prevention
national case fatality of around this achievement. Comprehensive of burn out. Along with the medical
1.5% in early October. So far, in planning, evidence-based protocols professionals, the hospital field staffs,
the background of high proportion and guidelines for prompt community health workers, local
of the elderly population and high management of cases and the good self-government departments, police,
prevalence of Non Communicable infection control practices have been fire force, disaster management
diseases, preparedness behind the contributors. authority and several NGOs have
low mortality rate is a learning all had their role in ensuring control
experience for us and for other Reverse quarantine has been an over COVID mortality in the state.
settings with varying resource levels. important strategy to protect the
vulnerable and thereby reduce the Kerala is going through a very
*Case Fatality Rate (CFR) is the mortality rate. Further, proactive critical phase of this epidemic. Hence
number of deaths per 100 cases screening and testing strategies to we need to focus both in upgrading
The figure shows deaths per hundred detect as many cases as possible the treatment capabilities and at the
cases of COVID 19 in Kerala, India would have avoided an apparently same time strengthening prevention
and worldwide combined. While the high mortality depiction. When the in all age groups, with special focus
CFR has reached as high as 7% on an daily reporting of cases started to on the elderly and those who have
average worldwide in May, the value pick up a rising trend, institutional co-morbid illnesses such as obesity,
has never crossed 4% in India. Kerala preparedness was ensured by setting heart disease and kidney disease. A
holds a notable achievement in up tiers of COVID management collective effort of the community
consistently maintaining a CFR value centres including the COVID with the prevailing effective
below 1% over the months. hospitals, COVID First Line leadership and comprehensive
Treatment Centres (CFLTCs), planning is where are hopes are
The low mortality rate in Kerala is COVID Second Line Treatment pinned.

prd.kerala.gov.in/publication/keralacalling/OCTOBER 2020 65 KERALA CALLING