THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Forty-five more cases of Omicron were reported in the state on Sunday, taking the total tally of those infected with the new variant of Covid-19 to 152.
Of them, 32 people had come from the low-risk countries, nine from the high-risk countries and four people were tested positive due to the direct contacts they had from the travellers.
Among the new cases, 16 are in Ernakulam, nine in Thiruvananthapuram, six in Thrissur, five in Pathanamthitta, three each in Alappuzha and Kozhikode, two in Malappuram and one in Wayanad. The four contact cases have been reported in Alappuzha (3), and Thrissur (1).
Of the total Omicron cases reported so far, 50 people had come the high-risk countries and 84 from the low-risk countries. A total of 18 people have been tested positive of the new variant through contacts.
2,802 new Covid-19 cases
Meanwhile, the state reported 2,802 Covid-positive cases of the 50,180 samples tested in the last 24 hours on Sunday. Among the new cases, 725 people have not taken even a single dose. However, 1,532 people among the new cases had taken both vaccine doses.
With 12 more deaths in the past few days recorded as Covid deaths and 66 deaths added from the appeals received, the total Covid deaths in the state has now become 48,113.
Presently, the total active cases are 19,021, of which 10.7% people are admitted either in hospitals or in other treatment centres. At the same time, 2,606 patients have recovered from the infection.
Among the new cases, 2,595 people were infected through local spread. The contact source of infection was not traceable for 130. There are 29 healthcare professionals among those infected and 48 people arrived from outside the state. Thiruvananthapuram with 472 reported the highest number of cases. There are 1,04,957 persons presently under observation in various districts of the state, of which 3,275 are in isolation at hospitals.
Night curfew ends
The night curfew imposed in the state in view of the New Year celebrations, ended on Sunday night. The government has not taken a decision to extend the curfew.
According to the government sources, a decision on whether to impose any kind of restrictions in the state will be taken at the Covid review meeting set to be convened by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan this week.
As per the state health department, at present the situation in the state is under control and no community spread of the new variant has been reported. The Covid-positive cases are also coming down and hence the health department is also of the view that no stringent restrictions need not be introduced now.
However, a final decision will be taken only in the review meeting convened by the chief minister. The night curfew was introduced to avoid the gathering of people in public places, clubs, hotels and restaurants for New Year celebrations.
