Why Kerala is Performing Better in COVID-19 Fight Compared to the Other Indian States?

Kerala was the first state in India to report a COVID-19 patient. She was a medical student returned from China’s Wuhan Institute of Medical Sciences. However, Kerala was prepared well before the first patient was reported. Since the state has many of its people working and studying abroad. Let us see how and why Kerala is performing better in COVID-19 fight than the other Indian States. 

Early Action

“A stitch in time saves nine.” Kerala prepared isolation/ quarantine wards before COVID-19 arrived its doorsteps. The virology labs were ready for a testing maximum of those who are suspected. The persons with symptoms were tested and quarantined. The patients’ root map was prepared. The authorities’ not only depended on the patient’s memory but also utilised technology, CCTV footages, GPS mapping etc to confirm the places where the patients went. 

Prior Experience

This is not the first time Kerala is facing such a situation. Previously the state witnessed the attack of Nipah, a more lethal virus. The state’s speedy action and effective administrative steps had been successful in containing the Nipah virus, which doesn’t have any proven remedy. Kerala followed the same procedure, which was prepared during the Nipah outbreak, for COVID -19 too. With its confirmed efficacy, the authorities didn’t have to think twice before implementing the protocol across the state. 

The state had initiated “break the chain” campaign and installed points for handwashing at places. It issued repeated reminders to people to follow precautions such as usage of facemask, hand wash and social distancing of at least one meter.  

Responsible Leadership

Every battle requires a firm and decisive leader. The battle against COVID-19, Coronavirus, is no different. Mrs KK Shailaja, popularly known as Shailaja teacher for her Science teacher background, led the team. She was prompt and strict. She along with the administrative officials, doctors, nurses and health workers, didn’t leave anything unturned. A strict directive was also issued to all the four airports in the state to commence screening of all those arriving from foreign countries. 

The number of COVID -19 testing was the highest in India. Consequently, Kerala became the state with a maximum number of Coronavirus affected patients initially. At one point, Kerala was considered as the “COVID -19 capital” of India. What others didn’t realise was that the high number of COVID-19 patients are due to increased testing. The same was proved with time. Kerala has also set up Walk-in Sample Kiosk (WISK) for Coronavirus sample testing. This helped in Kerala performing better in COVID-19 fight than the other Indian States.

Literate People

With hundred per cent literacy, it was comparatively easy for the administrative authorities to pass messages and promulgate orders. The messages spread through social media were conveyed to everyone within minutes. The celebrities and other known faces in Kerala’s cultural and literary field helped in infusing the messages to people’s mind.  

The public awareness was so high that the government could easily convey every message to each one. Besides, the clear instructions and information regarding COVID -19 helped in precluding rumours of any kind. 

Strict Policing

Kerala started lockdown measures before it was announced across India. Police officials took stringent actions to prevent people from coming out to the public without any firm reasons. Understanding the seriousness, the majority of the people obeyed to the directives from police authorities. Drones were also used for forcing people to remain at their home.

The police not only ensured proper lockdown but also ensured that the needy were helped in time. The police took it as their responsibility to supply food grains and help people requiring urgent attention at hospitals. Kerala police also prepared videos for educating the society about the necessity of washing their hands frequently, at least for 20 seconds, using facemasks at public places, keeping a distance of 1 meter from others and so on. 

Less Population

Kerala is one of the states with less population. The other less populated states viz. Goa, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have recorded one hundred per cent recovery. Even, Goa and Manipur have been declared COVID-19 free states. Kerala with about 3.5 crore population could be easier to handle than Uttar Pradesh with about 20 crores. It is one of the major reasons for Kerala performing better in COVID-19 fight than the other Indian States.

However, the fact to be read along with this is that Kerala is the most densely populated states in India. Since the COVID -19, Coronavirus, spread through physical interactions the density of the state is a major issue.   

Health Infrastructure

Kerala is one of the leading states in India regarding educational and health infrastructure. The government hospitals also have good infrastructure, in addition to, well-qualified and dedicated doctors. The number of hospitals in per square kilometre would be more than any other state in India. The quality of treatment, medical care, constant monitoring has made the state’s COVID -19 recovery rate above 70%, which is higher than anywhere else in the world. 

The point to note here is that the foreigners who had undergone COVID-19 treatment in Kerala had all praise for the state. 

The above-mentioned are some of the reasons for Kerala performing better in COVID-19 fight than the other Indian States.

You may read Life During COVID-19 here

Shine Syamaladevi is the author of Those Naked lies and The Ribbon Trap