‘Facing highly contagious delta variant’: Kerala CM asks people to be cautious amid drop in COVID infections

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that there has been a decline in coronavirus cases in the state, but urged people to remain cautious as the state is now facing the highly contagious delta variant.

"COVID-19 cases in the state have decreased by 42 per cent. People should continue exercising caution as we are now facing highly contagious delta variant of virus," he said.

On Friday, Kerala recorded as many as 11,361 new coronavirus cases and 90 more deaths, taking the caseload to 27,85,304 and the death toll to 11,833.

A total of 12,147 persons recuperated from the disease, taking the number of those cured to 26,65,354. Currently, there are 1,07,682 persons under treatment and 4,69,522 under observation of which 27,905 are in isolation wards of various hospitals.

A total of 1,11,124 samples were tested in the last 24 hours and the test positivity rate (TPR) was 10.22 per cent, said State Health Minister Veena George.

Among the districts, Thiruvananthapuram recorded the highest number of positive cases yesterday - 1,550, followed by Kollam with 1,422 and Ernakulam with 1,315 cases.

"Of those found infected yesterday, 64 reached the state from outside while 10,667 contracted the disease from their contact. The source of infection of 567 is yet to be traced and 63 health workers are also among the infected," the minister said in a release.

CM Vijayan had on June 15 announced that the relaxation in lockdown will be allowed on the basis of test positivity rate under local self-government bodies. Local bodies with below 8 per cent test positivity rate can function normally with restrictions, allowed to open shops, he said.

"Government offices to function with 25 per cent employees, public transport to operate partially, shops selling essentials will be allowed to open on all days, bars to open from June 17. Complete lockdown to continue across the State on weekends," Vijayan added.