Kerala records 9 new COVID-19 cases, total rises to 345

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 8 () At least 345 people havetested positive for coronavirus in Kerala so far, with ninefresh cases being reported on Wednesday.

Of the new cases, four had come from abroad, two hadattended the Tablighi Jammat meet in Delhi last month and theremaining three contracted the virus through contacts, ChiefMinister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here.

A total of 212 people from the state had participated inthe Talbligi meeting and "15, including today's two cases,have tested positive," he said. Of the fresh cases, four were from Kannur, two fromAlapuzha and one each from Pathnamthitta, Thrissur andKasaragod districts. Samples of 13 people tested negative on Wednesday. Around 1.40 lakh people, including 749 in hospitals,are under observation in the state, he said adding the activeCOVID-19 cases stood at 259. Two fatalities have been reported from the state so far. UDVS VS