Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 25 (IANS): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said seven more individuals have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state, taking the total number of people presently under treatment to 116.

In all, those presently affected and cured cases stands at 457.

"A total of 20,580 people are under observation at homes and 464 others are being observed at various hospitals in the state," said Vijayan.

"One fresh positive case is of a lady health professional at Kollam. Besides, an 84-year old-M. Abubacker who was positive and under treatment at Kozhikode Medical College hospital has now recovered and is a commendable achievement of our health officials, there," said Vijayan.

"The Centre is seeing our work against COVID-19 in a very appreciate manner... especially the arrangements we have made in advance to receive the Kerala diaspora and it can be taken as a model for other states. This was told to our chief secretary by the central Cabinet secretary," said Vijayan