KOCHI: In the latest COVID-19 update, Kerala has registered 292 fresh infections along with three deaths attributed to the virus within the past 24 hours, according to data released on Wednesday by the Union Health Ministry. Of the 341 new COVID-19 cases reported across the country until 8 am today, 292 were identified in Kerala, contributing to the state's active case count, which now stands at 2,041, as per the Ministry's statistics. The three reported deaths have pushed the total COVID-related fatalities in Kerala since the onset of the pandemic three years ago to 72,056. Meanwhile, 224 individuals have recovered, been discharged, or migrated following a diagnosis within the last 24 hours, leading to a cumulative count of 68,37,203 recoveries in the state. In response to the escalating cases, State Health Minister Veena George assured that despite the surge, there is no cause for alarm as Kerala is adequately equipped to manage the virus outbreak. She emphasized that directives have been issued to furnish specialized amenities for COVID patients, ensuring the availability of isolation wards, rooms, oxygen beds, ICU facilities, and ventilators in hospitals. What's Behind the JN.1 Sub-Variant Spiking COVID Cases in India? Karnataka Mandates Masks for Over 60s Due to JN.1 Sub-Variant Fear