'Ernakulam reported highest number of Covid cases in India in 2021'

Kochi: In 2021 during the peak of the second Covid wave in India, Ernakulam district reported the highest numbers of Covid cases in India, according to a research paper published by a team of doctors who were part of the Covid-19 surveillance unit of Ernakulam district, and hence, had access to the data collected. Even when the number of Covid cases reported in the other states started coming down, Ernakulam district continued to record a large number of cases, as per the paper that aimed to analyse the pandemic situation in the district. Ernakulam district had the highest number of Covid cases in January 2021 and May 2021.

However, the silver lining, as per the paper is that this is mainly because of the high number of tests (five to six times the national average) and targeted testing strategy, resulting in low case fatality rate (0.35%) and low bed occupancy rate. This work is relevant even now as Ernakulam records the maximum number of Covid cases in Kerala, which contributes to more than 30% to 35% of Covid cases and 50% Covid deaths in the country. However, Covid deaths in the district remain low with case fatality rate (CFR) being 0.91%, while the state CFR is 1.05%. The recovery rate here is more than 96%.

"The total number of cases could be a misleading indicator if other factors were not considered," the paper notes. It further added, "To assess the situation of a pandemic in a region, morbidity and mortality related to the pandemic is a better indicator rather than the number of infected. Public health and primary care are the keys to manage any pandemic. Despite the advancements in scientific field, prevention plays the most vital role in controlling a pandemic".

For the paper, the available data was analysed during different phases of the pandemic like the phase of Kerala reporting the first case in January in Thrissur to the period till Ernakulam had its first case; the phase of cases getting detected mostly among those with a travel history to other states/nations and their contacts to the period of community spread; and the phase after the community spread happened.

"Ernakulam is the healthcare hub of south India, after Chennai and Bengaluru. We have the most advanced facilities, both in the private and public sector," said IMA Kerala, research cell, vice-chairman Dr Rajeev Jayadevan.