On the 8th of March, the Kerala Government, reported 5 new positive cases of Novel Coronavirus also known as COVID-19.
K.K. Shailaja, the Kerala Health Minister, on the 8th of March, said, five new positive cases were detected in the state, out of which three have travel history from Italy.
K.K. Shailaja said, “Three people [a couple and their son] had recently returned from Italy and had met their relatives in Pathanamthitta district (of Kerala) after which they were also infected,” Shailaja said.
The five detected cases are residents of the Ranni area of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. Speaking about their conditions K.K. Shailaja said, “As of now, their condition is stable. But there is a need to take extra care.” She further added, “The relatives approached the hospital reporting symptoms and have now been kept in isolation wards.”
Ms. Shailaja said out of 5 positive COVID-19 cases, 3 are family including father, mother and child who came from Italy and landed in Kochi on the 1st of March.
The Health Ministry of Kerala also urged the people who travelled on the same flight with the family of 3, to contact the concerned authority and get their tests done.
The Ministry said, “Those returning from Corona-affected nationals should contact us at the earliest. If they don’t volunteer themselves, then it will be regarded as a crime. We are urging the society to come up responsibly.”
Meanwhile, a positive case of Coronavirus was reported in Tamil Nadu as well.
Beela Rajesh, the Health Secretary of Tamil Nadu said, a person has been reported positive.
He said, “A person has been identified positive with coronavirus and is under surveillance at a hospital. We are tracing contact history. Further, we are screening every person coming from outside.”
K.K. Shailaja even requested people not to celebrate Attukal Pongala festival in Thiruvananthapuram in the wake of the deadly Novel Coronavirus and stay at home.
The announcement read, “We are heading into the Attukal Pongala festival in Thiruvananthapuram. So now we are in a situation to stop the festival completely…There need not be any concern with regard to Pongala. But persons showing any symptoms of the virus should keep away from the ritual.” Many relatives would come during this season, those coming should not mingle with the general public and remain at home. District collector is in touch with hotels to trace foreign nationals. Health department will keep a video tracking of the gathering.”
This is the second time Kerala reported positive Coronavirus cases. Earlier, three people were tested positive who are successfully cured and even discharged from hospital.
The other 5 patients are kept under isolation and are being treated at a hospital.
The deadly virus which was first discovered in China killed as many as 3,000 people and infected 1,00,000 people worldwide.
