There was no let up in the number of coronavirus cases in Kerala as 240 persons were diagnosed with the pandemic on Saturday. This is the highest number to test positive for coronavirus in the State till date, according to a press release issued by Health Minister K K Shylaja.
This is a major setback for Kerala which had declared on May 8 that the coronavirus curve has been flattened in the State which meant that the pandemic has been totally eliminated. But the Covid-19 virus has returned with full ‘vigour’ and afflicted more number of people.
The release said that as on Saturday, there were 2,129 persons under treatment in various hospitals. The day saw 209 patients getting cured of the pandemic and reaching home safe.
The minister put the blame on the expatriates and people who returned to Kerala from other parts of the country for the hike in the number of cases. Out of the 240 persons diagnosed with the pandemic on Saturday, 152 were from foreign countries while 52 were from other States of India, said the release. 367 persons were hospitalised on Saturday. There are 135 hotspots in the State.
Situation in Ernakulam and the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram continued to be grave on Saturday. Community transmission of the pandemic has become a reality in the capital city making it a dangerous zone to visit. Kadakampalli Surendran,minister for tourism, temple administration (devaswam) and cooperation pleaded with the people of the capital city to maintain social distancing and wear face masks without failure. “What I see in the city is overcrowded market places, shopping malls, public parks where people openly violate the covid-19 guidelines. This is disappointing and worrisome,” said the minister who cautioned the people that if they flout the rules, the administration may have to resort to extreme measures.
Shops and establishments have been asked to down the shutters by 7pm. The main vegetable and commodities market at Palayam and Chalai has been closed down.