Lockdown yielding positive results but not yet time to relax restrictions: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday said that the statewide general lockdown and triple lockdown in four districts has yielded positive results. However, it is not yet time to relax the restrictions, he stressed.

Regarding the increasing threat of black fungus in patients recovering from COVID-19, Vijayan said, "In Kerala, so far 15 cases of black fungus have been reported, and the saving grace is this will not spread from one affected to another, and hence there need not be undue worries. Those who are diabetic and those with other serious co-morbidities have to be careful. Across the country also this has been reported in good numbers." He noted that three new fast-spreading virus variants had been identified in the state.

Though the entire stock of vaccines given by the centre has been exhausted, it would be raised in the meeting PM Modi will hold with state chief secretaries on Thursday, he said.

"The good effect of the reduction of TPR and a reduction of 12 per cent of new cases as compared to the previous week in daily new cases is also a good sign that the spread is coming down, but it's not yet time for relaxation of norms," he added. The lockdown is currently in force till Sunday.

The state recorded 32,762 fresh cases and 112 covid deaths on Wednesday, taking the active caseload to 3,31,860 and the death toll to 6,724.