Kottayam: With five more new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the Kottayam district administration is ramping up its efforts to contain the spread of the disease in the region.

The total number of cases in the district has risen to 11. While one of the COVID patients arrived from a neighbouring state, the rest contracted the disease from others. Two health workers have also tested positive in the region.

Following the rise in COVID-19 tally, District Collector PK Sudheer has declared Vijayapuram, Panachikkad, Ayemenem, Thalayaloparambu, Velloor and Manarkkad regions as hotspots.

A review meeting under Minister P Thilothaman will take place on Monday to study the situation in the district.

The collector also withdrew all the relaxations in the district. Only essential services such as eateries and health services will be allowed to operate.

All offices are to remain shut in the hotspot areas.

Odd-even scheme

The odd-even scheme for vehicles will be implemented in Kottayam district from Monday onwards. Vehicles with registration numbers ending with an odd digit will be allowed to venture out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. And vehicles with even digits can be taken out on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The odd-even scheme is not applicable on Sundays. This restriction is also not applicable to women, disabled people, those riding electric vehicles, healthcare personnel including doctors, those engaged in emergency services, essential services, government offices, government agencies, banks and mediapersons.

The Kottayam market has been shut. Police surveillance in the district has been intensified and more restrictions imposed. A case will be filed against those who flout the instructions. Fine will also be levied. Kottayam, which was earlier marked as green zone with least number of cases, has now been categorised as orange zone.