Kasaragod: A CPM leader, his wife and two children tested positive for COVID-19 after they welcomed a relative who illegally entered the state in a goods truck. The relative returned from Maharastra on May 4. The CPM leader took him to his home upon his return from Maharashtra.

The relative tested positive for the virus on May 11 after he exhibited the symptoms of the disease. Following this, the results of the leader and his family came out positive on Thursday and they were sent on quarantine.

The leader had visited a cancer patient in Kanhangad district hospital three times during this period and visited the cancer ward, lab, X- ray room. A health worker in the district hospital has also tested positive. The CPM leader is said to have attended the funeral of a former CPM leader as well.

The leader’s wife is a panchayat member. The health department authorities have asked authorities including the panchayat president to go under quarantine and turn up for testing their samples on Friday. The relative of the leader returned from an area which has reported a high number of COVID cases.