Harsh Vardhan’s remarks on Kerala COVID-19 spike triggers controversy
Deccan ChronicleUnion minister of health Dr. Harsh Vardhan’s remarks on the big spurt in COVID-19 cases in Kerala have triggered a controversy. During a social media interactive programme ‘Sunday Samvaad’, Dr. Vardhan opined that “Kerala is paying the price for gross negligence during the recent Onam festival days which made the state worse from best”. Responding to Dr. Vardhan’s remarks, the state health minister K.K Shailaja said that he has not criticised the COVID-19 control strategy of Kerala. “Even from the initial phase of the pandemic, Dr. Vardhan has been complimenting the Kerala government’s scientific COVID-19 control strategy and he always supported the state’s initiatives, despite the political differences”. Union minister of state V. Muraleedharan said that Dr. Vardhan’s comments are serious in nature and serious lapses happened in conducting COVID-19 tests and enforcing pandemic protocols.