THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja on Sunday confirmed that 15 more persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the state. Among these, five persons are from Kasargod. While two persons each from Ernakulam, Malappuram and Kozhikode districts have tested positive for the virus, four people have tested positive in Kannur. This is the highest number of positive cases reported in a single day in the state.

According to the health minister, 12 people, who tested positive for the virus, have recently returned from the Gulf countries. Those who tested positive in Kannur have been identified as natives of Cheruvanchery, Naarathu, Kunjimangalam and Chapparadavu. All the four are gulf returnees. The five infected persons in Kasargod are also gulf returnees hailing from Nellikkunnu, Vidyanagar, Chandragiri, Marakkappu beach and Chenkala regions.

At present, 59,295 people are being kept under observation. While 58,981 are under home quarantine, 314 persons have been admitted to isolation wards at various hospitals. 9776 people have been removed from observation. Out of the 4.35 samples sent for examination, 2744 have tested negative so far. The minister also urged the public to follow the health department's instructions in order to control the spread of the virus.