Thiruvananthapuram: As Kerala breached the 3.50 lakh mark with 7,482 fresh COVID-19 cases on Thursday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan likened the virus spread to "forest fire" and said there is need to contain it with utmost vigil. The total infections in the state touched 3,56,384 with the addition of the new cases, while 7,593 patients recovered from the disease today, taking the total recoveries to 2,74,675.
In the last 24 hours, 56,093 samples have been sent for testing. Speaking to reporters, Vijayan said 93,291 people are undergoing treatment for the virus. As many as 2,80,926 people are under observation in various districts, including 23,193 in various hospitals. So far, 41,47,822 samples have been sent for testing. "There is a general perception that infections are receding everywhere.But there is no scientific basis for such theories," he said, adding the spread of COVID is like forest fire. "It recedes just before it spreads. So, we need to ensure that the fire does not spread.We need to continue the caution with utmost vigil," he said.
With ease in lockdown relaxations, several vehicles and taxis are seen on roads and some of those travelling do not seem keen to wear masks,Vijayan said. "This indifference to covid protocol will result in negating the achievements of the state in tackling the infection," he cautioned. The ceremony of "Vidyarambham" (Initiation of children into the world of letters), to be held on October 26, should be conducted at homes in which only close relatives should participate, he said. Kozhikode, which reported the highest number of 932 cases,saw as many as 400 migrant workers testing positive.
Ernakulam accounted for 929 cases, Malappuram 897, Thrissur 847, Thiruvananthapuram 838 and Alappuzha 838. The COVID toll mounted to 1,255 with 23 more deaths, including that of a 96-year-old woman. Of the positive cases, 123 had come from outside the state and 6448 had been infected through contact and the source of infection of 844 people is not known. Among the infected were 67 health workers, including 13 from Thiruvananthapuram and 12 from Kannur. While eight areas were included in the list of hotspots, seven areas were removed from it.
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