On Wednesday, Kerala reported 6,316 new Covid-19 cases. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a press conference said that the state has collected 56,993 samples in the last 24 hours. Currently, Kerala has 61,445 active Covid-19 cases.
Out of 6,316 cases, 5,539 persons were infected through contact, 98 infected persons came from outside the state. However, the source of infection for 634 cases is still unknown.
Kerala also reported 5,924 recoveries, taking the recovery toll to 5,50,788. However, the National Institute of Virology in Alappuzha confirmed that there were 28 casualties, taking the state’s death toll to 2,298. The test positivity rate of Kerala is 11.08%.
During the press conference, Vijayan also brought up the Cyclone Burevi situation. He said that according to latest update from the weather department, the cyclone is likely to pass through Thiruvananthapuram by Friday (December 4).
Vijayan added that he has discussed the cyclone situation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Idukki and Ernakulam are expected to witness heavy rains and strong winds. The CM warned that floods and landslides are could be expected with the heavy rains and winds passing through the state.
Vijayan said that according to India Metrological Department, on December 3, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthiita and Alappuzha are expected to face very heavy rainfall. In light of these events, he has asked people to refrain from travelling to high-range places.
Vijayan reiterated the red alert and orange zones for December 3 and 4, adding that seven NDRF teams have arrived in Kerala for search and rescue operations. He has urged everyone to stay indoors and to stay vigilant. He said that people must contact the 24-hour control room (1007) for any kind of assistance.
Vijayan also mentioned about the state’s amended Covid testing guidelines. He said that those over the age of 60, pregnant women, new mothers, children and the critically ill, living in covid clusters, must immediately undertake RT-PCR tests in the beginning days of the containment.
Meanwhile, Vijayan also said that this month, the state government will be providing the free food kit to the needy as a Christmas gift. The cost for this will be Rs 480 crores.
