Will Kerala be new epicentre of COVID third wave? State reports over 30,000 new cases in 24 hours

Kerala reported over 30,000 COVID-19 cases, after a gap of nearly three months, while its Test Positivity Rate (TRP) rose over 19%.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala on Wednesday reported over 30,000 daily virus cases, after a gap of three months, while its Test Positivity Rate (TRP) rose to 19 per cent. The southern state on Wednesday logged 31,445 fresh coronavirus infections and the toll mounted to 19,972 with 215 new deaths. The last time Kerala crossed the 30,000 mark was on May 20 when it reported 30,491 cases.  The TPR on Wednesday crossed the 19 per cent mark, according to a state government release. While the latest surge pushed the the total infection count to 38,83,429, the government announced an intensive screening programme to reduce further spread of the contagion. After the Onam festivities, medical experts had predicted that the TPR would go beyond 20 per cent and the number of infections would rise further.