NEW DELHI: After a hiatus, the daily Covid cases have crossed 4,000 again. The country recorded 4,041 Covid cases, last day. Of which, most of the cases are from Kerala and Maharashtra. A sum of 1,370 cases and 1,045 cases were reported in Kerala and Maharashtra respectively, on Friday. Kerala accounts for around 31 per cent of the total Covid cases in the country.

The union health ministry has warned of the rising Test Positivity Rate (TPR) in the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana. All have been directed to strictly wear masks and maintain social distance. Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, has witnessed a rise of 231 per cent in the hospitalization due to Covid-19.

Meantime, Health Minister Veena George said that even though the Covid cases have slightly gone up in the state, there was no need to worry. "The Omicron variant is prevalent now. No other variants were found in the tests. It is important to live with Covid. Everyone must wear a mask. Measures should be taken to protect inpatients and the elderly. Those yet to take the second dose of the vaccine and the precautionary dose should take it. Health workers must take the precautionary dose. A very strong awareness campaign should be conducted", the minister said. The highest number of Covid cases are in Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam districts. Those districts need special attention, she added.