Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala recorded 23,513 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, pushing the total cases to 24,94,385.
With 198 deaths being reported on Saturday, the state's death toll has risen to 8,455. This is the highest number of deaths reported in a day in the state.
As many as 28,100 people were cured of the infection, taking the total recoveries to 22,52,505.
The active cases touched 2,33,034, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed during his customary sunset briefing.
In the last 24 hours 1,41,759 samples were tested and the test positivity rate (TPR) was 16.59 per cent.
TPR is the percentage of people who test positive for the virus of those overall who have been tested.
Of the positive cases, 86 were health workers, while 139 had come from outside the state and 22,016 infected through contact. The source of infection of 1,272 among them is unknown.
No UK returnee has tested positive for the virus in the last 24 hours.
Key points from the CM's press meet:
• Last three days, the TPR average stayed below 20% in the state. However, it is 20.21% in Thiruvananthapuram district and 23.86% in Palakkad.
• In Malappauram, TPR dropped significantly. Hence, the triple-down in Malappuram will be withdrawn. However, lockdown restrictions will continue to be in place.
• The infection rate is coming down in the state. However we are not in a position to rollback the lockdown yet.
• Lockdown extended till June 9. Industrial organizations including those in coir and cashew sectors will be allowed to function with 50 per cent of staff strength.
• Shops that provide raw materials for industries can be opened till 5pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
• Banks can be opened till 5pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• Textiles, jewellery shops, footwear shops can be opened till 5pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• Permission will be given for toddy shops to start parcel services.
• Priority will be given to those in old age homes for vaccination. Special attention will be given to bedridden patients to get vaccine shots. Measures will be taken to give vaccines for those above 45 in tribal colonies.
• The number of active cases dropped significantly in the state during the lockdown period. However, The lockdown will be rolled back only when the test Positivity Rate stays bellow 15% for a minimum of three days.
• The monsoon sanitation activities will be done on June 4, 5 and 6 in the state.
• The government will consider starting vaccine manufacturing units.
• Travel permission will be given for those who have received government appointment orders to join their office.
• Shops and offices should be cleaned and sanitized before reopening. They should keep strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols. Ensure masks for all staff and customers. Legal actions including arrests will be taken to shop owners who fail to follow this.
• Police will take strict action against those who refuse to follow OCVID-19 restrictions. Strict vigil will be kept to avoid crowing at medical shops.
• Eleven more categories have been added in the priority list for vaccination in the 18-44 age group.
District-wise breakup of today's positive cases:
Malappuram 3990 (contact cases – 3838)
Thiruvananthapuram 2767 (2648)
Palakkad 2682 (1791)
Ernakulam 2606 (2528)
Kollam 2177 (2163)
Alappuzha 1984 (1977)
Thrissur 1707 (1696)
Kozhikode 1354 (1337)
Kottayam 1167 (1125)
Kannur 984 (908)
Pathanamthitta 683 (656)
Idukki 662 (632)
Kasaragod 506 (488)
Wayanad 244 (229)
District-wise breakup of recoveries:
Thiruvananthapuram 3058
Kollam 1657
Pathanamthitta 485
Alappuzha 1780
Kottayam 954
Idukki 619
Ernakulam 4280
Thrissur 2574
Palakkad 3060
Malappuram 4289
Kozhikode 2466
Wayanad 839
Kannur 1204
Kasaragod 835
Testing and quarantine
A total of 8,35,866 people are under observation in various districts. Of these, 7,96,400 are under home or institutional quarantine and 39,466 are in hospitals.
3,624 people were admitted in hospitals on Saturday.
So far, 1,95,82,046 samples (including the augmented sample) have been sent for testing.
There are 879 hotspots in the state.
