As the number of Covid-19 patients touched an all time high in the State, Kerala Minister for Health K K Shylaja blamed the people for not following the guidelines and safety measures recommended by the Government and warned about a possible total lockout. Neighbouring Tamil Nadu showed a decline in the number of new patients tested on Sunday as well as the total number of patients
On Sunday, 7,445 new persons were diagnosed with Covid-19 in the State and this took the total number of patients in Kerala to 56,709. The last 24 hours saw 21 patients succumbing to the pandemic.
According to a bulletin issued by Tamil Nadu Government, 5,791 new patients were diagnosed with Covid 19 on Sunday while the total Covid-19 cases were 46, 341. There were 80 deaths reported in the State during the last 24 hours. There are 10,368 more patients in Kerala than in Tamil Nadu.
Earlier in the day Minister Shylaja said the relaxation in the lockout ordered by the Government for Onam holidays led to the increase in the number of patients. “The Opposition parties which are staging unnecessary and unwanted agitations across the State are equally responsible for this situation,” said the minister who was rated as the world’s top thinker in the year 2020 by Prospect , a British magazine.
Despite being a closed holiday, ambulances blaring their sirens , transported 3,752 persons requiring urgent medical attention because of Covid-19 to hospitals.
Kozhikode topped the list of 14 districts with highest number of new patients. The coastal district, known for its spots of cultural, historical and tourism importance tested 956 persons while Ernakulam (924) and Malappuram (915) new patients on Sunday.
Shylaja said though the State has more number of patients compared to neighbors, death rate is low in Kerala. “Our mortality rate is 0.12 per cent but this is likely to increase along with the number of new patients in days to come,” said Shylaja. She also said that the State may have to opt for a total lock down if the present trend continues and people do not follow the guidelines issued by the Government.