2.67 lakh recoveries in Kerala, COVID cases inch towards 3.50

 As many as 2.67 lakh people have recovered from COVID-19 in Kerala so far, while the infection count has almost reached the 3.50 lakh mark with 8,369 fresh cases on Wednesday, the state government said.The toll climbed to 1,232 with 26 fatalities.

As many as 7,262 were infected through contact and the source of infection of 883 people is not yet known.In the last 24 hours, 62,030 samples were tested, and results of 6,839 people had returned negative, with recoveries touching 2,67,082, Health minister K K Shailaja said in a press release here.The total infections mounted to 3,48,791 with the addition of the fresh cases.

So far, 40,91,729 samples have been sent for testing.Sixty-four health workers and 160, who had come from outside the state, were among those who tested positive.Ernakulam reported the highest number of 1,190 cases on Wednesday, followed by Kozhikode 1,158, Thrissur 946, Alappuzha 820 and Kollam 742.

At least 2,80,232 people are under observationin various districts, including 23,016 in hospitals.

While six new areas were included in the list of hotspots, 17 places were removed.