Coronavirus: Kerala declares health emergency, shuts schools, cinemas and calls off weddings

• The number of coronavirus cases in Kerala stands at 17, but around 1,495 people are being screened for the disease.
  
• Infection in Kerala was imported by an Indian origin family from Italy, who escaped screening at Kochi airport.
  
• The state has shut schools and cinema halls, along with public meetings including weddings.
  

Note: The data has been collated from various news outlets and Indian ministry of health authorities and is accurate as of March 11.

The Indian state which is worst-hit by coronavirus Kerala declared a health emergency in four districts. The number of cases rose to 17 in the state.

“We have decided to close down all educational institutions in the state for the month of March,” Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media.

Italian-Indian family imported infection in Kerala

The infection resurfaced in Kerala after an Indian origin family from Italy visited Kerala on February 29 via Doha and escaped screening at Kochi airport.

The family of three were traced by the Kerala health department on March 7 and forcefully quarantined at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital. Later, the whole family tested positive and had passed on the infection to close relatives by then.

During the media briefing, KK Shailaja, Kerala health minister revealed that the state is on a mission to trace people who came in contact with the NRI family.

1,495 under surveillance, as the virus scares Kerala

Almost 1,495 people are under surveillance in Kerala, who are suspected of the epidemic. The government revealed that 259 were placed in isolation wards in hospitals, and 1,236 were self-quarantining at home.

Fortunately, the state has sent 980 samples for screening so far, and almost 815 persons have tested negative.

Vijayan appealed to the public to cooperate with them to fight coronavirus effectively. The Kerala government has requested the centre to open more testing facilities.

Schools, cinemas shut down, public gathering banned

In the meanwhile, the government declared a health emergency and closed public places. After schools, it ordered closure of cinema halls till March 31.

It also banned public meetings, festivals and celebrations including weddings as a precautionary measure. The government said there would be no exams held for classes 1 to 7, while the others will have examinations as usual

Kerala airports on high alert

The government also enforced universal screening at all its four airports. The number of medical teams at airports has enhanced since the introduction of thermal screening. More thermal image scanners have been provided to airports, as it is now mandatory for all those who arrive. The current number of infected people stands at 62 in India and four people have recovered so far.

SEE ALSO: Coronavirus cases in India double from last week to 62: Kerala shuts down