Spike in COVID-19 cases in Kerala; 19 test positive

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 21 () Kerala reported aspike in COVID-19 cases on Tuesday with 19 people testingpositive, after a decline in the numbers in the past few days,as the total infections touched 423 in the southern state.

Kannur recorded 10 cases, Palakkad four, Kasaragodthree and Malappuram and Kollam one each, Chief MinisterPinarayi Vijayan told reporters here.

The number of those getting infected were in singledigits over the past few days.

Of the 10 positive cases from Kannur, nine of themhad come from abroad and one had been infected throughcontact, he said.

Pointing out that the positive cases inPalakkad,Malappuram and Kollam had come from neighbouringTamil Nadu, Vijayan said there is need to enforce strictvigilance in places bordering neighbouring states.

Sixteen people tested negative on Tuesday,while the total active cases 117, he added.

At least 32,000 people are under observation,

Of the around 20,000 samples sent, 19,440 hadreturned negative, Vijayan said. UDBNWELCOME UDBNWELCOME