The test results of an Idukki-based political leader, who had earlier tested COVID-19 positive, have returned negative.
Test results of EP Usman from Cheruthoni in Kerala's Idukki district had come in positive on March 26. The District Medical Officer on Sunday confirmed that Usman has been cured of the disease.
The first two samples were collected within a span of four days. The test results of the third sample taken on Sunday, will come in on Monday.
Usman, an Idukki Congress Committee leader, had visited several places across Kerala after contracting the virus. The Chief Minister had on Friday termed the travels of the Idukki politician as "shocking".
He had travelled from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram. Thodupuzha, Kattappana, Adimali, “Ernakulam, Perumbavoor, Sholayur in Palakkad, Muvattupuzha, Munnar, the list of places he had travelled through is unending. Medical colleges, schools, Secretariat, Legislative Assembly Complex, public institutions, the list of institutions he had visited is also long. He had contacted ministers, MLAs and top bureaucrats," the Chief Minister said.
He had even taken pictures of these travels and shared hem on social media, the Chief Minister added. He even said the man's behaviour was unbecoming of a public worker.
Nonetheless, Pinarayi did not seem too worried about the man infecting some top leaders and bureaucrats in Kerala. "We came to know of the man's contacts only after 14 days," he said. 14 is the maximum number of days the virus will take to reveal itself in its host.
The Idukki political leader had visited the Secretariat and the Legislative Complex to meet ministers, MLAs and bureaucrats on March 11. His results came in on March 26, 15 days after his visit.
Usman, is currently under treatment at the Thodupuzha District Hospital. His wife, son and daughter-in-law have been placed under home-quarantine. Individuals who interacted with the leader have also been asked to observe self-isolation.
