Kerala Covid-19 Tracker: 13 new cases & 13 recoveries today, total 123 patients under treatment

Thiruvananthapuram, April 27: Kerala today reported 13 new Covid-19 cases. Six persons from Kottayam district, four in Idukki district and one each from Palakkad, Malappuram and Kannur Districts are those who tested positive. Of these, five have come back to the State from Tamil Nadu, one from abroad and the rest have got infected through primary contact. This includes one healthcare worker in Kottayam district.

Meanwhile, 13 patients under treatment for Covid-19 tested negative today. Six patients from Kannur district, four in Kozhikode district, and one each from Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Malappuram districts are those who recovered from the disease.

The total number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Kerala is 481 and 123 patients are under treatment in different hospitals in the State.

20,301 persons are under surveillance across various districts in the State, with 19,812 quarantined at their homes and 489 in hospitals. 104 people were admitted to hospitals today. So far, 23,271 samples have been sent for testing and the results of 22,537 samples have tested negative with no infection.

Briefing the media, Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan said that as part of widespread checking, 3,056 samples were sent for testing yesterday (Apr 26). This includes 875 samples from people in a high-risk group - healthcare workers, migrant labourers and from those who have higher community contact. Of these, 611 samples have so far tested negative.

He also informed that Kottayam and Idukki districts have been declared as Red Zones in addition to the existing four districts of Kozhikode, Kannur, Malappuram and Kasargod. Further, two panchayats in Idukki district and four panchayats in Kottayam district have been declared as hotspots. Presently, there are no Covid-19 patients in Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Thrissur and Wayanad districts.

Kerala plans to bring back Malayalees stranded in other States

Thiruvananthapuram, April 27: Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today announced that the State is working on a plan to bring back Malayalees who are stuck or stranded in different parts of the country because of the lockdown. Such people who desire to come back to Kerala can register their details on the Norka website from Wednesday.

“Several people are stranded in other states and they are facing severe hardships. Students, business travellers, those who went to visit relatives, those on temporary training, etc are some of those who are stuck and we would try to bring them back. However, priority would be given to those who have gone for medical treatment in other states and residents of other states who have registered for specialist treatment in Kerala. Students whose hostels are locked and those have completed their studies, those who went for examinations and interviews, those who have lost jobs and those who want to come to Kerala post their retirement would get preference”, the CM added. There are several people from Kerala who have gone to neighbouring states for agriculture, especially in Kodagu, Karnataka.

All those who are stranded in other States will be brought back in a phased manner. District Collectors have been asked to prepare a plan for their return. They would be checked by the Health Department at the border. The quarantine will be mandatory for everyone. All safety precautions taken for expatriates would apply in their case also. Entry would be regulated and we expect the people to cooperate with us.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has requested the Central Government to bear the airfare of the Pravasi Malayalees who have lost their jobs due to the lockdown and want to come back to Kerala. He also asked the Centre to declare a rehabilitation package for them. In the last 24 hours, about 2.02 lakhs expatriates have registered on the Norka website, their desire to return to Kerala.

Kerala favours partial lockdown till May 15: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan has informed the Centre that the State would have a cautious approach on lifting the lockdown after May 03 and would favour having a partial lockdown till May 15. The Chief Minister has informed the State’s opinion to the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah.

In a telephonic conversation with the Union Home Minister, the Chief Minister has asked for a national policy on lockdown that also caters to State-specific and regional needs. “The State would prefer having a partial lockdown till May 15 and then review the lockdown based on the Covid situation then. The State is of the opinion that, in districts where no cases are reported in the previous week, relaxations on public movement and public transport can be partially allowed by adhering to all safety precautions. Inter-district and inter-State traffic should be regulated till May 15”, he added.

The State Government had earlier announced a few relaxations and exemptions in the lockdown in concurrence with the Central Government guidelines.

Minister of Health & Social Justice, Smt K K Shailaja; Revenue Minister, Shri E Chandrasekharan, and Chief Secretary, Shri Tom Jose IAS were also present during the media briefing.