Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed concern over the increase in COVID-19 cases through contact with untraceable sources.
He demanded that people across the state should stay vigilant. He alerted that Kerala is facing stage 3 of COVID-19 and that the next phase is community transmission. He was addressing the media after the COVID-19 review meeting here.
The Chief Minister informed that the health department failed to trace the source of the virus among 26 out of the 608 new patients reported on Tuesday.
Thiruvananthapuram
In Thiruvananthapuram, 201 tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. Among them, 158 contracted the virus through contact. Since the last few days, the number of positive cases through contact is increasing. Clusters in Poonthura, Kottakkal, Pulluvila and Venganoor reported an increasing number of COVID-19 cases through contact. Four health workers also tested positive for the disease. The health department officials reported that 19 people contracted the virus from untraceable sources.
The district authority has imposed strict restrictions in the new containment zones including all wards in Anchuthengu and Parassala. At the same time, Aryanad panchayat was removed from the list of containment zones.
Ernakulam
In Ernakulam, the district administration authority has strengthened the preventive measures at Chellanam, Aluva and Keezhmad panchayats where COVID-19 cases through contact were reported. More tests will be conducted in Chellanam. A rapid action team was also deployed in the region to coordinate preventive measures. Special arrangements were made to distribute ration and other essential items. The authority also initiated action to establish a first-line treatment centre at Chellanam. The health department has strengthened surveillance in the region and nearby areas.
Alappuzha
In Alappuzha, 34 tested positive for coronavirus. Among them, 15 people contracted the virus through contact. Two cases with untraceable sources have also been reported. All wards in Kayamkulam municipality, Cherthala taluk, Arattupuzha, Nooranad, Palamel, Thamarakulam and Pulinkunnu were declared as containment zones. Strict restrictions and surveillance have been imposed in ITBP Nooranad, Kayamkulam , Pallithode and Ezhupunna in view of the high number of positive cases.
So far, 130 ITBP officers have tested positive for COVID-19.
Kozhikode
In Kozhikode district, the highest number of COVID-19 cases was reported in Thuneri panchayat. The district administration has imposed triple lockdown in the panchayat. It is learned that 53 people contracted the virus from 2 patients. At first, a man and a woman tested positive for the disease in Thuneri. All those who came into contact with the duo have undergone antigen tests.
