Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 6 (IANS): Kerala Minister for Culture, Law and SC/ST departments and CPM leader A.K. Balan has tested positive for Covid-19. He has been admitted to Palakkad district hospital.

A health bulletin from the Palakkad district hospital said the minister's condition is stable and he is undergoing medication.

Balan is the sixth Kerala minister to test Covid positive.

The state health department has already warned of a surge in Covid cases in the state and state Health Minister K.K. Shailaja had called upon people to be extra cautious and to impose a self lockdown. 6 people who had landed in the state from the UK had tested positive for the new Covid strain.

After the recent local body elections, the state government is expecting a surge in Covid positive cases which can touch upto 9,000 cases per day. With 10 and 12 classes already open along with colleges and universities, any laxity can lead to an increase in cases.