Kerala announces weekend lockdown; centre cautions it about rising cases

State records on more than 22,000 new cases for the second consecutive day, centre sends team of experts.

Kerala recorded on Thursday more than 22,000 new Covid-19 cases for the second consecutive day, prompting the union health ministry to send there a six-member team from the National Centre for Disease Control.

"As a large number of Covid cases are still being reported in Kerala, the team will aid the state's ongoing efforts in Covid management," said Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Twitter.

News agency ANI, while quoting unnamed sources, said that Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written to the state about "super spreader events". "Compliance with mass/social gatherings guidelines need to be enforced strictly," said Bhushan in his