Kerala records over 20,000 new COVID cases for fourth day
Kerala recorded over 20,000 fresh Covid cases for the fourth day on Friday, with the test positivity rate (TPR) rising to 13.61 per cent. According to a state government release, Kerala recorded 20,772 positive cases in the last 24 hours, taking the number of infections in the state to 33,70,137. The death toll rose to 16,701 with 116 new deaths.
Meanwhile, 14,651 people have been cured of the infection, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 31,92,104 and active cases to 1,60,824 in the state. In the last 24 hours, 1,52,639 samples were tested and the TPR was found to be 13.61 percent. So far 2,70,49,431 samples have been tested.
Rising COVID-19 cases in Kerala worrying: Rahul Gandhi
In view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Kerala, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said the rising number of cases in the state is worrying and appealed to the people to follow all safety measures.
In a tweet, he said, “The rising cases of coronavirus infection in Kerala are worrying. I appeal to my brothers and sisters in the state to follow all safety measures and guidelines. Please take care.”
Some of the worst affected districts in the state are Malappuram (3670), Kozhikode (2470), Ernakulam (2306), Thrissur (2287), Palakkad (2070), Kollam (1415), Alappuzha (1214), Kannur (1123). Thiruvananthapuram (1082) and Kottayam (1030).
Of the new cases, 81 are health workers, 137 had come from outside the state and 19,622 of 932 cases were infected with the source of contact unclear, the release said.
At present 4,56,951 people are under observation in various districts of the state. Of these, 4,29,118 are in home or institutional quarantine and 27,833 are in hospitals. The release said that there are 678 areas in the state with a TPR of more than 10 per cent.
On Thursday, the Kerala government announced a total weekend lockdown across the state amid a surge in coronavirus cases. A recent government order states that there will be a complete lockdown in the state on July 31 and August 1.
(with PTI inputs)
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