Kerala: 20 health workers infected as Covid tally touches 76,000

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state’s total infection count hit 76,525 with 1,140 new cases reported on Tuesday even as the government issued guidelines for phase-four easing of the general lockdown.
Recoveries in state touched 53,653 as 2,111 more persons were added to the list. Four more deaths were recorded — N V Francis, 76, of Ernakulam; Jeevakyan, 64, and K Ramesan, 45, of Kasaragod; and, Soman, 67, of Thiruvananthapuram — taking the tally to 299.
Among the new cases are 1,090 infected through contacts. However, the source of 158 cases is not known. Fourteen persons had come from abroad while 36 had travelled from other states. Among the contact cases are 20 healthcare workers, nine Coast Guard personnel of INSH and two DSC employees from Kannur.
Thiruvananthapuram recorded the highest number of new cases, at 227, followed by Malappuram (191), Ernakulam (161), Kozhikode (155) and Thrissur (133). Kannur reported 77, Kottayam 62, Palakkad 42, Alappuzha 32, Kollam 25, Kasaragod 15, Pathanamthitta 12 and Wayanad eight.
Unlock 4.0 guidelines
The state has decided to extend the general lockdown in containment zones till September 30, while it will regulate activities outside these zones in a planned manner.
Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for regular classes up to Sept 31. Students of classes IX to XII may be permitted to visit schools, in areas outside containment zones on a voluntary basis for seeking guidance of teachers. With effect from Sept 21, 50% of teachers and non-teaching staff can be called to schools to coordinate online teaching.
2L under observation
A total of 1,96,582 persons are under observation across the state, of which 1,77,488 are under home or institutional quarantine and 19,094 in hospitals. On Tuesday, 1,466 were admitted to hospitals.
More carers Infected
Among the healthcare workers who were infected, six are in Kannur, five in Thrissur, two each in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam, and one each in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad.
In lockstep with Centre
The state has also decided to go ahead with Union ministry of home affairs’ guidelines, under which Metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from September 7 in a graded manner. Social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious and political functions and other congregations with a ceiling of 100 persons will be permitted from September 21.
However, marriage-related gatherings with number of guests not exceeding 50 and funeral- or last rites-related gatherings with number of persons not exceeding 20 will continue to be allowed up to September 20, after which the ceiling of 100 persons will come into force.
Open-air theatres from Sept 21
Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks and similar places will remain closed. However, open-air theatres can open from September 21.
There will be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons, goods and other services. No permission will be required for such movements. Train and domestic air travel under the Vande Bharat Mission and other flights will continue to be regulated as per SOPs issued earlier.