The Kerala government will prioritise vaccinating college students, and testing will be expanded in six districts with high TPR.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government issued an order on Tuesday to prioritise Covid vaccination for college students.

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 23 will be given preference. Students who choose to pursue higher education abroad will also be prioritised.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had previously stated that the government would take necessary steps to vaccinate students and begin classes.

The Kerala government also decided to increase testing, quarantine, and contact tracing procedures in six districts where the COVID test positivity rate (TPR) has yet to fall despite lockdown curbs.

TPR is high in Thrissur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasaragod, according to official figures.

The decision was made at an emergency meeting of medical officials and collectors from the respective districts convened by Health Minister Veena George on the orders of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

In addition to taking stock of the current situation in these districts, the meeting decided on what steps should be taken next to prevent the virus infection from spreading further, according to an official statement.

Despite the fact that all of these districts have already met the test target, George said that directives have been issued to increase testing in areas where the spread is high and to intensify quarantine and contact tracing there.

Those who do not have adequate facilities for home quarantine should be transferred to respective district Covid centres, she said, adding that awareness campaigns in these districts should be strengthened.

Given the possibility of a third wave of the pandemic, vaccination should be strengthened and as many people as possible should be immunised, the minister said during the meeting.

The meeting was attended by top officials including Health Secretary Rajan Khobragade and Health Director V R Raju.