Kerala reports a record high of 1,564 virus positive cases
KOCHI: Kerala reported a record high of 1,564 COVID-19 positive cases and 766 recoveries on Thursday, according to a press statement from the state health department.
Of the new cases recorded on Thursday, 1,380 contracted the disease through contact while the source of infection of 98 patients remained unknown.
As many as 60 infected persons came from abroad while 100 came from other states. Three Covid deaths were also confirmed in the state.
The deceased were identified as Trivandrum Mukkola native Lissy Sajan, 55, who died on August 7, Kozhikode Ramanatukara native Radhakrishnan, 80, who died on August 8 and Malappuram native Abdul Rahman, 63, who died on August 10.
The previous single-day record, 1,420, was recorded on August 8. The state is reporting over 1,000 cases for the tenth consecutive day.
The state has reported 39,708 COVID-19 cases so far, out of which 25,692 persons recovered. The remaining 13, 839 patients are being treated in various hospitals.
Kerala state government on Wednesday granted permission to conduct COVID-19 tests in private labs without prescription of a doctor.
This relaxation came in the wake of continued hike in number of positive cases and the new move is expected to increase number of tests done in the state.
As per this new government order, people who suspect to have COVID-19 symptoms, can walk into private laboratories and hospitals, registered under the Health Department for this purpose, and get tested, even if they do not have a doctor’s prescription for the test, said Minister for Health KK Shailaja.
“Through this, people would be able to detect the disease early and seek treatment accordingly,” Shailaja teacher said in a press release.
According to a directive issued by Health Principal Secretary Rajan Khobragade, this provision is applicable only for RT-PCR, CBNAAT, Truenat and rapid antigen tests.
The rates to be charged by the private laboratories for each of the tests have been fixed by the government.