COVID-19: 24 new cases in Kerala, over 80,000 under observation

Kerala registered 24 COVID-19 cases for the second consecutive day on Thursday, all returnees from abroad and other states, taking the tally to 690 while over 80,000 are under observation.

With eight people recovering from the infection, the active cases stood at 177 and they are presently under treatment at various hospitals, according to an official release.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had on Wednesday expressed concern at the growing numbers of cases on Wednesday saying the state was inching towards a "more serious situation".

Of the fresh cases on Thursday,Malappuram accounted for five, Kannur four, Kottayam and Thrissur three each, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Alappuzhatwo cases each while Idukki, Palakkad and Kasaragod have one case each, the release quoting state Health Minister K K Shailaja said.

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While14 people had come from abroad, including eight from UAE, the other 10 returned from other states -- Maharashtra (5), Tamil Nadu (3), Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh one each.

Totally 510 people, including eight on Thursday, recovered from the infection. At least 80,138 people are under observation with 527 in various hospitals and others in homes, the release said.

Samples of 49,833 people have been sent for testing so far and results of 48,276 which have been received are negative.

The maximum number of positive patients are at Malappuram (35) followed by Kannur (21) and Palakkad (21).

According to Police, a total of 749 cases were registered in the state on Thursday for lockdown violations and 881 arrested while 287 vehicles were seized. 

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