Daily COVID infections cross 28,000 mark in Kerala, authorities to determine on curbs on Thursday

By PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala authorities on Tuesday determined to strictly implement the COVID-19 well being protocols as there’s a surge within the variety of coronavirus circumstances within the state which reported over 28,500 new infections.

Kerala which had recorded 2,435 new constructive circumstances on January 1 witnessed a gradual rise within the variety of circumstances.

The day by day circumstances elevated to five,296 on January 7.

On January 12 the day by day an infection charge went as much as 12,742 and the state reported 22,946 recent infections on January 17.

The state authorities has knowledgeable {that a} choice on restrictions together with the closure of schools and workplaces and curbs on individuals touring in public transport amongst different issues might be mentioned and determined within the COVID-19 analysis assembly to be held on Thursday.

The chief minister, who’s overseas for the aim of remedy, will chair the assembly on-line, authorities sources mentioned.

The functioning of the state secretariat right here has been partially affected as a couple of ministers’ workplaces have been shut because of the unfold of an infection among the many workers.

State General Education Minister V Sivankutty, former minister and Kazhakootam MLA Kadakampally Surendran examined constructive.

Sources within the police division mentioned no less than 650 members of the police pressure are down with the an infection, principally those that returned after Sabarimala temple responsibility.

The KSRTC additionally has lots of its workers down with COVID-19 affecting a couple of companies.

Police officers of no less than eight police stations in Thiruvananthapuram metropolis and rural, together with Circle Inspectors and DySPs have been discovered contaminated.

As many as 24 safety workers of the famed Padmanabha Swamy temple have additionally been examined constructive.

As per as we speak’s well being bulletin, 215 well being staff are additionally among the many contaminated.

Including docs, 17 well being staff examined constructive and one nursing officer misplaced her life.

P S Saritha (44), a nursing officer from Varkala was examined constructive yesterday however misplaced her life as we speak, the well being minister’s workplace mentioned.

State capital Thiruvananthapuram has recorded 48 per cent of Test Positivity Rate (TPR) which implies one in two individuals examined right here turns constructive, says state Transport Minister Antony Raju, after an analysis assembly.

“There are nearly 7,000 cases here. The TPR is at around 48 per cent, that means one in two persons tested turns positive. This is a very serious matter and the guidelines issued by the District administration needs to be implemented strictly. Stern action will be taken against the violators,” Minister mentioned.

The analysis assembly was held to debate the state of affairs within the state capital.

He mentioned the variety of individuals allowed for weddings is 50 and there are incidents wherein extra variety of individuals are taking part.

Higher Education Minister R Bindu mentioned the federal government was contemplating a transfer to shut down faculties and shift to on-line lessons because of the worsening COVID-19 state of affairs.

“The college authorities have been asked to close down the college for 15 days in case a cluster is formed there,” the minister mentioned in a press release.

There are 1,42,512 energetic COVID-19 circumstances and the state capital has probably the most variety of cases–36,250, adopted by Ernakulam with 21,612 circumstances and Kozhikode and Thrissur districts with 14,408 and 14,407 circumstances respectively.

Meanwhile, the state police knowledgeable that 344 circumstances had been registered within the state on Tuesday for violating COVID-19 well being protocols.

Cases had been registered in opposition to 3,681 individuals for not sporting masks.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress on Tuesday lashed out on the Left authorities saying there are extra COVID-19 circumstances than the official numbers.

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan mentioned at present the an infection is spreading at a quicker tempo than that of the primary and the second wave.

“The health department is standing still during this pandemic. The government has disbanded the COVID brigade. Other than a warning from the health minister that COVID-19 will spread faster in two weeks, the government has not taken any step to mitigate that,” Satheesan alleged.

The well being division has determined to reopen the COVID-19 First Line Treatment Centres (CFLTCs) within the areas the place clusters have been fashioned.

The state authorities had earlier knowledgeable that the scholars of sophistication 1 to 9 can have on-line lessons from January 21, after contemplating the worsening COVID-19 state of affairs.