Shashi Tharoor – MP, Congress leader :

Spoke at length with Kerala Health Minister Shailaja Teacher on the COVID19 situation in the state.

Expressed my alarm that we’ve 45% of India’s current cases.

She assured me that mortality rate is still low, ICU occupancy is at 50% &ventilator use only 15%. Situation under control.

Took the opportunity to discuss the expansion of the Panchakarma Ayurveda Hospital & conveyed environmentalists’ concerns about cutting of trees to permit construction.

She promised to look closely again, & assured me that rare trees would be protected, & 25 would be planted for every tree cut.