In 2021 during the peak of the second Covid wave in India,Ernakulamdistrict 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 ofCovid 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%.