Kerala withdraws state calamity status over coronavirus threat

In a major relief to the people of Kerala, the state government declared that the situation is no more a calamity, on Friday (February 7).

Addressing the press, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said, no person who had come into contact with the three patients had tested positive.

Asserting that the state shall remain alert, she said, “As many as 67 samples were tested negative. Moreover, the second sample of the coronavirus patient undergoing treatment at Alapuzha has also tested negative.”

Also read: No new coronavirus cases in Kerala, says Health Minister

“The test results show that the situation has improved. The first confirmed case was in close contact with five people. The second confirmed case was in close contact with one person and the third patient with two people. All of these primary contacts have tested negative. And that is a relief,” the minister added.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said China had denied permission for 10 Indian students in Wuhan to return after they showed symptoms of the disease.

Reports claimed that around 20 suspected patients are under observation and their results are awaited.