Covid-19 cases in Kerala continue to surge with 38,607 people testing positive on Thursday from 1,57,548 samples tested in the past 24 hours, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said. Across the state there were 5,93,840 people under observation at various places which included 24,009 people in hospitals.

The day also saw a high of 48 Covid deaths being reported, taking the total death toll to 5,259. Warning that things are reaching grave levels, Vijayan said more restrictions will have to be taken and as the first step, shooting of TV serials and films will have to be stopped immediately.

"It has also been decided to educate traders about the need of using double masks and as far as possible, encourage home delivery. It has come to the notice that certain health professionals are giving vaccines to those presently not eligible. It should not happen," he said.

There will be very strict restrictions from next Tuesday to Sunday and details would be announced soon, he added. He said it has come to the notice that certain banks are conducting their operations beyond the present 2 p.m and that this should not happen.

Even as the number of daily cases is going up, the number of recoveries is also increasing as on Thursday, 21,116 people turned negative taking the total cured in the state to 12,44,301.

CM also said that special provisions are being made to ensure the migrant workers are provided with vaccination.

Vijayan said that all those who are Covid positive and presently at their homes should be in touch with the local health officials and it should be only with their concurrence that such patients be taken to hospitals.

"The load on hospitals should be reduced and only those who require hospitalisation should be moved," he added. He  also stressed the need to maintain all protocols at the vaccination centres and there should be no crowding.

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