Around 62,030 samples were tested in the past 24 hours.

So far 2,67,082 were cured. The total confirmed now stand at 3,61,841. Out of the 7,262 contact cases, the infection source of 883 cases is unknown.

Ernakulam and Kozhikode reported the most cases-1,190 and 1,158 new cases respectively. Out of the new cases reported 160 persons who tested positive had returned from outside the state.
Sixty eight more healthcare workers infected.

The district wise break of cases are, 1,190 in Ernakulam, 1,158 in Kozhikode, 946 in Thrissur, 820 in Alappuzha, 742 in Kollam, 668 in Malappuram, 657 in Thiruvananthapuram, 566 in Kannur, 526 in Kottayam, 417 in Palakkad, 247 in Pathnamthitta, 200 in Kasaragod, 132 in Wayanad, 100 in Idukki.

Six new regions were designated as hotspots, while 17 regions were excluded from the list.

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The UN Interagency Task Force award was announced by World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The award recognises achievements during 2019 on the multisectoral action in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, mental health and the wider sustainable development goals related to it.

This is the first time Kerala has been recognised for the annual award. The state is among the seven ministries of health across the world.

Health Minister KK Shailaja congratulated all the health workers in the state and said the award was a recognition of their tireless service. “The state government has arranged facilities from the basic public health centres to hospitals at all levels to treat the lifestyle diseases,” Shailaja said in a statement. “We were able to control the death rate during the Covid-19 period as we were able to focus on the NCDs [non-communicable diseases].”

The Kerala government said the United Nations award was a recognition of the lifestyle disease control mechanism in Kerala, and the treatment and free services received by a large section of the population. “In addition, the state-of-the-art lung disease control program, cancer treatment program and paralysis control program were also considered for the award,” the government added.

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“Studies have revealed alarming data regarding the suicide of students across the country.To prevent depression,behavioural problems,stress etc.we are launching this initiative for students.The education department will also partner in this project,”the Minister said.

She said that the state has already counselled over 5 lakh people at homes in and in isolation wards through phones.The project will be implemented on three levels –Anganwadi and Asha Workers,school counsellors,online and phone counsellors.“First,Anganwadi and Asha workers will be given the checklist for fieldwork to counsel in-person.Second,we will be using the service of existing school counsellors who are well-aware of the students in a particular school and third,we will be using the help of online and phone counsellors.”A helpline number‘1056-Disha Number’is provided.Both parents and students can call on this number for counselling.

A high-level committee would collect data regarding student suicides and would chalk out plans to prevent it.“It is a serious issues that needs attention.Suicide prevention will be given priority in the state particularly in the backdrop of COVID-19,”the Minister said.

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