Three major cities in Kerala have been placed under high alert after observing an increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases with unknown sources. Restrictions have been tightened in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode as health officials failed to trace the source of infection for several COVID-19 patients.
Suspecting the chances of community transmission, strict restrictions were imposed in the state capital. On Saturday, Secretariat and AR Camp were disinfected after a police officer at the AR camp tested positive for COVID-19. Following this, the entry of visitors to the secretariat will be restricted.
Thiruvananthapuram corporation has issued an order to close down Palayam market for the next 7 days. It is reported that six wards in the capital city will remain as containment zones for the next 7 days.
“Shops which are not adhering to COVID-19 protocol will not be allowed to function. Crowding and unnecessary travel will be restricted,” informed the Thiruvananthapuram district authority.
Till date, 258 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Thiruvananthapuram.
Ernakulam district authority is also worried about community transmission of the virus. So far, 191 people turned positive for COVID-19 in the district. Champakara market will be closed from Sunday after examining violation of COVID-19 protocol. Antigen tests will be conducted for all the people who returned from abroad.
Chellanam harbour was also closed after the wife of a fisherman who worked there tested positive for COVID-19. The district authority informed that more people will be tested in the Chellanam harbour region. A few days ago, Ernakulam market was also temporarily closed down.
Kochi Mayor Sowmini Jain informed that the city will be placed under strict restrictions as the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing inside the corporation limits.
“Political, community and cultural organisations are directed to avoid meetings, protests and other programmes, which could result in crowd gathering, for the next two weeks in Kochi,” informed the Mayor.
In Kozhikode, the number of COVID-19 cases from unknown sources has touched 3 on Saturday. Following this, the district administration has decided to tighten the restrictions in the coming days.
The health officials have failed to trace the sources of infection to the Vellayil native security guard who committed suicide, a pregnant woman from Kallayi and a Kolathara native.
Meanwhile, Kozhikode district authority has decided to cancel the licence of 40 shops over violation of COVID-19 protocol. The inspection was tightened at Valiyangadi where the father of the COVID-19 patient in Kolathara is running a shop.
Till date, 297 coronavirus cases were reported in Kozhikode district.
Discussion about this post