Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 18 (IANS): The southern state of Kerala on Tuesday reported a record 1,758 new coronavirus cases, with Thiruvananthapuram district accounting for over one fourth of this figure, even as the state's total cases neared the 50,000-mark.

After getting bouquets for its fight against the coronavirus in the early days of pandemic, Kerala seems to be facing an uphill task on this front.

Health Minister KK Shailaja said in a statement here on Tuesday that 1,758 new corona positive cases were detected, the highest single-day increase in the state.

At present there 16,274 active cases, while 31,394 patients have been cured of the disease.

"On Tuesday, 1,365 patients were cured. Of the 1,758 new cases, Thiruvananthapuram district had the highest share at 489. Likewise, 1,641 persons are local infectees and here too the capital district led with 476," said Shailaja.

At present, 1,65,564 persons are under observation at various places, including 13,633 in various hospitals. There are 565 corona hotspots in the state.

The weekly cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday has now been postponed to Saturday, as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and seven of his Cabinet colleagues are in isolation after a visit to plane crash site at the Karipur airport on August 8.