One COVID-19 Death Reported in North Kerala, Health Department Issues Alert

Kannur: The Kerala Health Department has issued an alert in the northern districts of the state after a 65-year-old man died of COVID-19 in Kannur on Monday. The man, who had returned from Mumbai on December 10, tested positive for the coronavirus on December 15 and was admitted to a private hospital in Kannur. He succumbed to the infection on Monday morning, becoming the first COVID-19 fatality in the region.

The health department has traced and quarantined 32 primary contacts of the deceased, including his family members, co-passengers, and hospital staff. The department has also intensified surveillance and testing in the northern districts, especially in Kannur, Kasaragod, and Wayanad, where the number of COVID-19 cases has been rising in the past few days.

According to the health department, the northern districts have reported 3545 new COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths on Monday, taking the total number of active cases to 25,577 and the death toll to 71123 in the state. Kannur alone has reported 22 new cases and one death on Monday, followed by Kasaragod with 17 cases and Wayanad with 16 cases.

The health department has urged the people in the northern districts to follow the COVID-19 protocols strictly, such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance, and avoiding large gatherings. The department has also advised the people who have returned from other states or countries to undergo testing and quarantine as per the guidelines. The department has warned that any violation of the rules will invite legal action.

The health department has also appealed to the people to cooperate with the vaccination drive, which is being carried out in the state. The department has said that the vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of the virus and protect oneself from the infection. The department has said that the state has administered more than 67.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far, covering more than 90% of the eligible population.