Kochi/Pathanamthitta: A three-year-old who returned from Italy in a Dubai flight was tested positive for COVID-19 in Kerala on Monday. With this the number of positive coronavirus cases have risen to six in Kerala. The child reached Cochin International Airport with parents at 6:30am on Saturday in the Emirates flight EK 530 from Dubai.
The child was detected with fever in the universal screening at the Cochin airport. The child was immediately moved to the isolation ward at Ernakulam Medical College Hospital. The sample of the child was tested positive at the NiV lab at Alappuzha. The test results of the parents are yet to return.
The individuals who interacted with the family at the airport have been identified. The passengers in the flight have been asked to report to the health department at the earliest for testing.
Twelve people are under observation at the Ernakulam Medical College Hospital.
13 display COVID-19 symptoms
More than 3,000 people are likely to have directly or indirectly interacted with the three-member family, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday after returning to Kerala from Italy on February 29.
Almost 150 people who came in close proximity with the three-member family have been identified. Among them 58 were closely associated with the three individuals.
Thirteen individuals under observation have displayed symptoms associated with COVID-19.
Five people were shifted to isolation wards in Pathanamthitta district and five are in Kollam district. Out of the 11 people under observation in Thrissur district, six were said to be in the high-risk condition.
In total, 29 people, who interacted with the family, are under observation. Six people are at the Pathanamthitta general hospital and three at the Kozhenchery district hospital. These are mostly relatives who called upon one another. Six people at a relative's house at Punalur, where the three-member family had paid a visit, have also been put under observation.
The sister of the infected person, her husband and the child, who received the family at the airport, stayed at their home for a day before returning to their house at Chengalam in Kottayam. They have also interacted with others till Sunday.
They were shifted to the isolation ward of the Kottayam Medical College Hospital by 3pm on Sunday. Their samples have been sent for tests.
So far 732 people, including the cases from Pathanamthitta, are under observation in the state. Of the 729 samples sent for medical examination, 664 tested negative. The results of 65 are yet to be received.
Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja informed that more individuals remain to be identified. The Health Minister also advised the people in the region to reschedule public gatherings in the Ranni area.
Tracing the family's travel history in Kerala
It has been confirmed that the family from Italy made visits to the houses of neighbours and relatives, went for shopping at super market and a home appliances shop, gone to police station, SP office, post office, studio and a hospital during the one week in the state.
Details of all those who were present at these places during their visits would be collected. The health department has collected details of the 14 officials at the Pathanamthitta SP office. None of them have any symptoms so far.
The flight the affected family took to Kochi had 182 people, who went to various parts of the state.
Meanwhile, Kerala Health Minister K K Shailaja has said that strict action would be taken against those who levy high rates for masks and medicines. She also cautioned people against buying medicines without first consulting a doctor.
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