Thiruvananthapuram: Twelve more people have been tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in Kerala on Saturday, taking the total number of patients to 52.

The number includes the three persons who were cured of the disease early this month.

Of the 12 positive cases confirmed on Saturday, six hail from Kasaragod district, three from Kannur and three from Ernakulam.

Five of the Kasaragod residents are being treated at the District General Hospital while one person is admitted at the Ernakulam Medical College Hospital.

In Kannur, two are being treated at the Thalassery General Hospital and one at Kannur District Hospital. In Ernakulam, all three are admitted to Medical College Hospital.

Addressing the media on Saturday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said 53,013 people are under surveillance in the state till Saturday. Of these, 52,785 are at home, while the remaining 228 are at hospitals.

Of the 3,716 samples sent for testing on Saturday, 2,566 returned negative. On Friday also, 12 cases were reported from the state.

Irresponsible behaviour

While Pinarayi ruled out the possibility of community spread, he lashed out at the "irresponsible" act of the Kasaragod patient who had roamed around and forced even two of the MLAs into self-quarantine and said such people were working against the society.

"The patient was roaming around as he pleased. Kasaragod district administration has published the partial route map of the patient.

Despite counselling, the patient failed to help the health department to make a proper route map. There is something fishy in it," the chief minister said.

The district collector said the patient was not cooperating, Pinarayi pointed out.

Meanwhile, a person who was asked to remain in home quarantine was found inside a Kerala State Transport bus.

After passengers alerted police, he was shifted to a hospital. The KSRTC officials sanitised the bus before continuing with the journey.

Pinarayi warned of strict action against those violating government's instructions to check the spread of COVID-19.

“Government will be forced to toughen its stand for the greater common good of the society,” he said, and added that one person's irresponsible behaviour in Kasaragod had put lives of many people at risk. A Kasaragod resident, who was tested positive for COVID-19, appears to have contacted more than 3,000 people after his return from the United Arab Emirates on March 12.

More restrictions

As the situation turns alarming, Kannur District Collector Subhash T V has invoked section 144 of the criminal procedure code to prohibit crowd gatherings at public places, organising mass religious rituals, gathering at places of worship, visit to tourist spots and all types of processions.

The state government cancelled all lotteries in the state till next month.

As of now, Kasaragod is the worst-virus hit district in the state with 14 positive cases and the government has virtually shutdown the district.

As part of the the strict measures, the district administration has closed down all government offices for one week and closed places of worship for two weeks.

Shops in Kasaragod are allowed to open only from 11am to 5pm, everyday.

Meanwhile, 12 cases have been registered against traders who kept their shops open from morning itself after a team led by the district collector inspected various parts of the district.

Pinarayi urged everyone to take part in the 'janata curfew' on Sunday and to use the time in cleaning and sanitising their homes and surroundings.

He assured that there is no need for panic buying and asked the people not to believe in fake news.

“The neighbouring states have increased checking on vehicles coming to Kerala, but it will not affect the supply of goods,” he said.

Pinarayi said Tamil Nadu chief secretary has assured him that the checking will not affect the supply of goods.

Pinarayi also thanked various religious communities for cancelling festival and events in the time of coronavirus scare.

The Travancore Devaswom Board, issued directions to various shrines under it in view of the virus spread.

The TDB has also decided to provide masks and gloves to all its staff in shrines and restricted timings of the temples.

The TDB which met today decided to restrict entry of devotees into temples controlled by it till March 31.

While a case has been registered against a mosque in Kasaragod for conducting prayers despite strict warning, in Thrissur a priest of a Church at Ollur was booked for allowing the faithful to crowd inside the church.

The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council had decided to stop holy mass with people's participation in Churches under its control.

Centre's help to bring back students

With several Indians, including students, stranded in Kuala Lumpur, Pinarayi sought the immediate intervention of External Affairs minister S Jaishankar to help them.

Videos of the students and others stranded at the airport and making desperate pleas of help were also telecast by Malayalam channels.

"We have time only till 5pm (local time). Please help us. There are old people, sick amongst us. Where will we go?" they asked.