Strict lockdown measures in Idukki and Kottayam

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state on Tuesday reported four more Covid-19 cases, of which three are in Kannur and one in Kasaragod.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said strict lockdown measures had been enforced in Idukki and Kottayam following the spike in cases. In Kottayam, 18 patients are admitted to hospitals while 1,040 people are under observation.
Similarly, in Idukki, 13 patients are in hospitals and 1,462 people under observation.
The district has been divided into five zones and DSPs given charge of them. Senior police officers have also been deputed in these districts.
The borders have been sealed and 78 police pickets set up.
The chief minister said samples of three fresh Covid cases announced by the Idukki district administration on Tuesday morning had been sent for reconfirmation.
Referring to a news report over delay in shifting a patient in Kottayam to hospital on Monday night, he said people were being transported for sample testing in ambulances and the controversy was unnecessary. The three cases in Kannur on Tuesday are from among 3,000 samples being collected for community surveillance from various districts each day.
“As part of augmented testing, 3,101 samples were taken from the general population on April 26 and processed in 14 accredited government labs. Of these, 2,682 came negative and three are positive. The labs have recommended retesting in 25 samples. The results of 391 samples are yet to come,’’ Vijayan said. Besides, 875 samples were taken from priority groups like healthcare workers, persons with high social exposure, workers, etc as part of sentinel surveillance, of which 801 samples came negative.
At present, the state has 46,000 PCR reagents and 15,400 RNA extraction kits. More testing kits will be needed and Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd has taken steps to procure them, he said.