The Chief Secretaty said all the 77 people who testedpositive were primary contacts and from various containmentareas in the state.
"The new cases have been reported in those places whichhave been marked as containment or quarantine areas", he said.
The government, he said, was strengthening its efforts tocontain the virus
Asked whether the lock down would be extended in theState, he said the Chief Minister was holding meetings withvarious experts and a video conference with Prime MinisterNarendra Modi is scheduled to be held on Saturday.
"After that he may take a good decision", he said.
Shanmugam said 44 people have been discharged. VIJAPRRAVINDRANATH VIJAPRRAVINDRANATH