Tale of Survival: Impact of Covid-19 on Kerala and Measures Adopted by the Government of Kerala

Abstract

Covid19 is an infectious disease caused by a virus called Corona Virus which belongs to the subfamily Orthocoronavirinae, which is included in the main family Coronaviridae. These viruses are enveloped with a positive sense single-stranded RNA genome and are having a helically symmetrical nucleocapsid. The genome size range varies from an approximation of 26-36 kilo- bases. People who were affected by these viruses were probably to have mild to moderate respiratory illness and such people were recovered without any severe treatment. Whereas people who are older or who are suffering from various serious diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases are likely to develop serious illness.

The disease sprouted in Wuhan city of China proved its impact in India very immediately and the first case of this pandemic was reported in India on 30th January 2020. It was in Kerala that the first case was reported and later it rose to three cases in the month of February. This paper explores the efforts of the Government of Kerala to control and prevent the spreading of the disease and the results so far till February 2021. The paper also analyses the functioning of healthcare system in Kerala and its effective role in balancing the physical and mental health of people. Impact of this disease in families, society and social institutions, measures taken by the Government of Kerala in accordance with the Central government to prevent the evil consequences of the disease, further preventive measures as well as the shortcomings, solutions etc are also illustrated here.