Second COVID-19 death in Kerala, 7 more test positive

Kerala Tuesday reported its second COVID-19 death and seven new cases of coronavirus as the state government announced a special action plan for Kasaragod, which has become a hot spot for the infection, including monitoring of all fever cases in the district.

Four people were declared cured on Tuesday while 215 positive cases remained under treatment in hospitals across the state and more than 1.60 lakh people under observation.

A 68-year old retired police officer from nearby Pothencode became the second person in the state to die of the coronavirus.

The man, on ventilator support since the past five days, had high blood pressure and was on dialysis before he passed away at midnight on Monday, the state government said.

He was laid to rest in a 10-feet deep pit in a mosque in his native place after following all the international protocol for COVID-19 deaths.

With this death, the government has ordered that people in the entire Pothencode panchayat and a 2-3 km radius around it should go under self-quarantine immediately since the deceased had attended a marriage, funerals and various other functions before falling ill.

The first coronavirus death in the state was reported from Chullickal in Ernakulam.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who met media after the daily COVID-19 evaluation meet, said Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram districts have reported two fresh cases each while Kollam, Thrissur and Kannur have one each.

"At least 1,63,129 people are under observation in Kerala, of whom 658 are in isolation wards of various hospitals. A total of 7,485 samples have sent for testing," Vijayan said.

With Kasaragod accounting for 99 positive cases, the highest so far in the state, the government has drawn up a separate action plan for the northernmost district, Vijayan said.

"A separate action plan has been devised for Kasaragod district. The Panchayat-level officials will prepare the list of those who have a cough and fever. The list will be monitored by the health department. The laboratory at the central university there has got permission for testing samples. We will be conducting more tests there," he said.

The standoff between Karnataka over the closure of border roads continued, he said, adding he was optimistic of resolving it.

At least four critically ill people in need of expert treatment in nearby Mangaluru have so far lost their lives after Karnataka police allegedly did not allow their ambulances.

When asked about the Nizamuddin Tablighi jamaat congregation, Vijayan said those who have taken part in the event have been identified and the list handed over to the district collectors.

He also said that the free ration distribution in view of the 21-day lockdown will begin in the state from Wednesday.

The chief minister also urged the men to support the women folks in daily chores and warned of action in case of domestic violence.

"We understand that there are chances of rising instances of domestic violence in the state during the lockdown. Women and children are prone to abuse. Such incidents must not take place," Vijayan said.

In a word of advice to students, he said they can make use of the lockdown period by joining free online courses being offered by prestigious universities like Harvard and Stanford.

Meanwhile, the state police on Tuesday registered 1,481 cases for lockdown violations, arrested 1,430 people and seized 987 vehicles.

In the last eight days, a total of 11,910 cases had been registered, police said.

When asked about prescription of liquor to addicts and the doctors opposing the plan, Vijayan said no one was forcing the medical practitioners to prescribe it.

He also warned that strict action would be taken in case any April Fool messages with regard to COVID-19 was circulated.

Kasaragod tops the state with 99 positive cases followed by neighbouring Kannur with 48. Ernakulam district comes next with 14 cases of COVID-19.

A total of 163 people are in isolation wards while another 7,725 were under observation in the district.

(Image - AP)