Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that a Covid positive patient in Kannur died, while there were 83 fresh positive cases, taking the state's tally to 1,258.
The deceased had serious liver ailments, he added.
Of the new cases, 27 came from abroad, 37 from within the country, 14 were local infectees and five were health professionals.
Vijayan said starting January 30, when the first case in the country was registered in Thrissur, so far 2,244 have become positive.
"By now, over 2.18 lakh are presently under observation at homes, corona care centres which includes 1,922 in hospitals. As on date, 133 hotspots are there in the state now," he said.
Vijayan also pointed out that with more of the diaspora and those from other states set to come back, quarantines rules are also being modified.
"All those who come from abroad, if they have facility at home, they can stay at home, with the knowledge of the local authorities. Those who do not have the facility at home can opt for institutional quarantine of the state government and those who prefer paid quarantine can opt for that also," he said.
"Likewise those arriving from within the country have to register in the state portal and go for home quarantine, institutional or paid ones," he added.
He also announced that from now on, every day before 12 midnight, the containment zones would be announced and it would be based on the number of positive cases, primary and secondary contacts.
"Streets, wards and sub wards would be marked as containment zones depending on the above guidelines," he said.
Vijayan said it was unfortunate that two people in observation had committed suicide at the Medical College hospital on Wednesday and it is not right to pick wrongs in effective control at the hospitals.
On Thursday, both the Congress and the BJP staged protests in front of the state Secretariat and in front of State Health Minister K.K. Shailaja's official residence stating that this incident occurred because of lack of effective control.
( With inputs from IANS )