Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 25 (IANS): For the first time, the number of daily Covid cases crossed 50,000 in Kerala on Tuesday even as State Health Minister Veena George said there is no need to panic.

The test positivity rate (TPR) touched 49.40 per cent indicating that almost one out of two persons who got tested are positive for the coronavirus.

A total of 55,475 people turned Covid-19 positive when 1,12,281 samples was tested in the past 24 hours taking the TPR to 49.40, an all time high.

Across the state there are 2,85,365 active cases.

Speaking to the media here, George said figures point out that there has been no increase in hospital admissions as compared to the previous wave and call centres have started functioning in the state-run Medical Colleges.

"Those who are in hospital and are positive continue to be in the range of 3 per cent and across the state compared to Monday there has been a slight decrease, as 42.7 per cent of the beds are now under occupation in state run health centres," said George.

She went on to point out that there is an increase in positive cases in the age group 20 to 30 and since Wednesday being a public holiday there will be a massive public campaign through the social media platforms on Omicron.

"There is a concern on medical professionals turning positive and to see that spread is kept to the minimum, an infection control system is put into place to keep a tab on this," said George.

George also pointed out that by now 84 per cent of the people have been vaccinated fully and 68 per cent in the age group 15 to 18 also have been vaccinated and now we want these figures to go up at the earliest.