There is No Need to Panic over Kerala’s COVID Numbers. Here’s Why
News 18In the last week of July, Kerala started reporting 20,000+ daily new COVID-19 cases. While the number of cases has come down in most Indian states, Kerala and Maharashtra have reported sustained transmission, thereby contributing a majority of new COVID cases in the country. Fifteen months into the COVID pandemic, the fourth national seroprevalence survey in India reported the lowest seroprevalence of 44.6 per cent in Kerala among 21 states. Conclusion The high number of reported daily COVID-19 cases and test positivity rate in Kerala are likely due to a better performing disease surveillance system and targeted testing strategy. Therefore, every Indian state irrespective of the status of transmission should continue to implement response strategies, investigate the reasons for sustained transmission or rise in the cases beyond daily reported numbers, and must learn from each other.