Recently Kerala Health Minister Veena George revealed that six cases of the Nipah virus had been found of which two persons died while four others, including a nine-year-old boy are under treatment.
In the wake of Nipah virus being brought under control, the Kerala Disaster Management Department has now opened restrictions for relaxation. In Kozhikode district, nine panchayats have recently announced relaxation of containment zone restrictions. According to the latest guidelines of the State Disaster Management Department, henceforth shops in containment zones can be kept open till 8 pm. Allowed to conduct bank operations till two in the afternoon. However, wearing of masks, use of sanitizers and physical distancing should continue as usual. The previous rules on gathering of people will remain in force.
The State Disaster Management Department has informed that these regulations will remain in force until further orders are issued. The District Collector has ordered that those who have been included in the contact list due to close contact with Nipah virus patients should follow strict rules and continue in quarantine.
No new Nipah cases have been reported in Kerala since September 16. The Kerala government said on Monday that the samples of 218 people in the contact list have been tested so far and all the tests have resulted in the absence of Nipah. Currently restrictions have been relaxed in 53 wards and panchayats of Kozhikode district.