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District-wise lockdown likely in Kerala; state records 37,199 new COVID-19 cases

The test positivity rate is 24.88 per cent in the state

Virus Outbreak India A policeman checks on commuters during weekend restrictions imposed to curb of coronavirus in Kochi, Kerala | AP

With Kerala registering 37,199 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hinted at imposing district-wise lockdown in districts where test positivity remains high.

"The government will consider imposing lockdown in districts where the test positivity rate is high," said Vijayan during a press meet to explain the pandemic situation in the state.

The state registered 49 deaths on Friday. The test positivity rate (proportion of samples that returned positive among the total tests) is 24.88 per cent.

Kerala now has 3,03,733 active COVID-19 cases and the cumulative tally has soared to 15,71,185.

Of the new cases, 34,587 contracted the virus through contact while 330 came from outside the state and 113 are healthcare workers.

A total of 1,49,487 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.

So far, 1,57,99,524 samples have been sent for testing. The test positivity rate, i.e. the number of people likely to contract the virus in a group of 100, in the state is 24.88 per cent.

Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts reported the most cases,

4915, 4642 and 4281 respectively.

Forty-nine COVID-19 deaths too were confirmed on Friday. With this, the COVID-19 death toll in the state rose to 5,308.

There are currently 6,43,529 people under observation across the state.

Of them, 6,19,703 are under home or institutional quarantine while 23,826 are in hospitals.

Key points from chief minister's press briefing:

• More curbs to be imposed in the state between May 4 and 9. The details will be announced later.

• Only essential government offices will function during this period.

• The government is considering imposing lockdown in districts with a high number of cases, where test positivity rate is high.

• The chief minister emphasized the need for double-masking.

• The maximum number of people allowed in places of worship is 50. However, the number will be further reduced in places with a small area.

• At workplaces, all should practice social distancing. People should avoid crowding.

• No dining in hotels and restaurants. Only home deliveries and takeaways will be permitted.

• Everyone must follow 'SMS' - Sanitising, wearing masks and social distancing.

• Police have taken action against those spreading fake news on social media platforms.

• Oxygen war-rooms will be established in all districts to coordinate oxygen supply in the state.

• A state-level war-room will be opened soon, Vijayan said.

• Local self government bodies cannot announce lockdowns without the government's consent.

• More restrictions will be imposed in containment zones in the Palakkad district.

• Weekend curbs will be observed on Saturdays and Sundays like the previous week.

• Unnecessary travel must be avoided on weekends.

• Pillion riders are not allowed on bikes anymore. This is not applicable to families.

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