India confirms third coronavirus case in Kerala's Kasaragod district

A day after the second coronavirus case was confirmed in Kerala, the novel virus has hit another patient in the state, on Monday (February 3). Another Keralite student who returned from Wuhan University on Monday tested positive for the infection, Health Minister KK Shailaja said here.

The student is in an isolation ward at the district hospital in Kasaragod district, she informed the state Assembly. The condition of the student is “stable”, she said. Out of the 104 samples tested till Sunday, three have been tested positive.

This is the third positive case reported from Kerala. Earlier, two positive cases, also of students who came back from Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus,  were reported from Thrissur and Alappuzha districts.

Also read: Health ministry confirms India’s first case of coronavirus in Kerala

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said all precautions had been taken by the Health Department and there was no reason for panic. He said people should not fall prey to false propaganda and urged social media users to desist from spreading baseless and panicky messages.

Meanwhile, the Centre has set up a task force to monitor the situation arising out of the novel coronavirus with representatives from the Ministries of Health, Home, Civil Aviation and Women and Child Development, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Monday. He also said Indians, who want to return, will be evacuated from China.

Till date, 1,793 people who traveled from coronavirus affected countries have been identified and placed under surveillance in Kerala. Of this, 70 people have been admitted in selected isolation facilities and 1,723 are under home isolation, a medical bulletin said.

(With inputs from agencies)