When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the lifestyle of millions across the globe, Lakshadweep Islands were one of the few places where life seemed to be normal. Two weeks after the Lakshadweep administration revised the Standard Operating Procedures by taking away the mandatory quarantine guidelines for those arriving from Kochi, the first COVID-19 case has been reported.

While the islands were to record the first positive case of coronavirus until Monday, the number of COVID-19 cases soared to 14 on tuesday. According to reports, 13 people who were the primary contacts of the first patient, tested positive for the virus on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Health Ministry said that a total of 56 contacts of positive cases were detected so far.

The first patient, identified as a man, reached the islands from Kochi on January 4 and tested positive on Monday. After tracing his primary contacts it was found that he had been in touch with at least 31 people. Taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus, the authorities have started tracing and isolating their primary and secondary contacts.