THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja on Tuesday informed that 86 more persons have tested positive for the coronavirus in the state. Malappuram accounted for 15 cases, Alappuzha 10, Kasargod 9, Kollam 8, Thiruvananthapuram 7 including one death, Kottayam, Thrissur and Wayanad 6 each, Palakkad, Kozhikode and Kannur 5 each, Ernakulam 3 while Pathanamthitta reported once case.

Of the 86 cases, 46 persons had returned from abroad (Kuwait-21, UAE-16, Saudi Arabia-6, Maldives-1, Qatar-1, Oman-1) and 26 persons had returned from other states (Maharashtra-9, Tamil Nadu-7, Karnataka-5, Delhi-3, Gujarat-1, Rajasthan-1). 12 persons contracted the disease through contact.

The state also reported a COVID-19 death on Tuesday. The diseased has been identified as Rev Fr KG Varghese, who was under treatment for the infection at the Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Meanwhile, 19 patients tested negative for the virus on Tuesday, the minister added.

At present, 774 persons are undergoing treatment for COVID-19 in the state. While 1,45,670 persons are un home/institutional quarantine, 1340 persons are in hospitals.