Kerala COVID Spike Due To Gross Negligence During Onam: Vardhan

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday that gross negligence during Onam resulted in a spike in COVID-19 cases in Kerala, and warned other states to learn a lesson.

“Between January 30 and May 3, Kerala reported just 499 cases and 2 deaths. The majority of the cases were concentrated in Kasaragod and Kannur districts. Subsequently, COVID-19 cases cropped up in other districts due to increase in inter and intra-state movement of people for trade and tourism,” Vardhan said during his ‘Sunday Samvaad’ online interaction programme.

“And then the curve of Kerala changed completely due to Onam festivities. The Onam festival lasted from August 22 to September 2. During this period, there were huge congregations across the state, where people did not take adequate precautions. Kerala, which was reporting an average of 2,000 cases in the first week of September, reached 4,000 average cases fortnightly –– which means it was adding 7,000-8,000 daily new cases,” the minister added.

Alleging that Kerala paid the price for its gross negligence during the festival season, Vardhan said other states must keep this in mind with the Navratri, Durga Puja and Diwali season ahead.

“I would say other states should learn a lesson from Kerala’s spurt due to negligence during the Onam season. All states need to be careful during the upcoming festival season and ensure COVID-appropriate behaviour. Otherwise, it may result in a rapid increase in cases across India. This caution must be exercised over the next three months at least,” he said.

Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja and other health authorities have admitted in recent weeks that the Onam festival, when there was higher social interaction, had a direct impact on rise in coronavirus cases in September-October.

Kerala, though, has a comparatively low mortality rate of 0.34%, with deaths having been reported so far.