Kerala, for the first time, crossed the 1000 mark today with it reporting 1,038 COVID positive cases today. Out of this, 785 positive cases were through contacts—a worrying figure for a state which had been managing the situation quite well so far.
Amid this increase in numbers, the government is also considering the possibility of a lockdown.
"There is a recommendation to implement another lockdown in the state. But, there are views against announcing another lockdown too. We are considering all options,'' CM Pinarayi Vijayan said today.
The state also reported one death today. With this, the total death toll has reached 48 in the state.
The number of hotspots also has increased to 397.
Out of the total 1038 cases, 195 are NRKs. As of today, there are 8,818 COVID-19 patients in the state. 48 nurses and 8 doctors are among the infected. There are 397 COVID-19 patients in the ICU. Nine cases are in ventilators.
According to data, 272 patients were cured today.
Thiruvananthapuram has again reported the highest number of cases 329. Out of this, 18 are of health professionals. 15 cases have unknown sources. Out of the total cases in Thiruvananthapuram, 94.4 per cent cases are through contacts. Kollam has the second-highest number of cases 116. Also, all have got the infection from contacts. Alappuzha comes third with 120 cases. Ernakulam has 93 cases and out of this 66 got through contacts.
The districts which share borders with the neighbouring states reported a higher number of cases today also. The state had closed its borders yesterday amid this increase in COVID cases in these districts. The coastal belt continued to report high numbers across the districts.
"People should cross borders only for emergency situations like death after obtaining pass from the government,'' the CM said.
The CM said that the state will continue its policy of discharging the patients only after they are tested positive though the national policy suggests that patients can be discharged if they do not show major symptoms after 10 days.
Till date, 267 health professionals have got infected, said the CM.
The state today has reported 5,095 instances of people not wearing masks.
Regarding the issue of five candidates who attended the Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) examination testing positive, the CM said that lapses happened only in one centre in Thiruvananthapuram.
"Children are not to be blamed in this case. But, the adults who had gathered there could have been more responsible,'' the CM said.
The police had earlier booked a case against 600 people over failing to maintain social distancing.
