THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala confirmed 593 positive cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, CM Pinarayi Vijayan told the media. With this, the total confirmed cases in the state rose to 11,659. Of the new cases, 116 persons came from abroad and 90 returned from other states. 364 persons developed the disease through contact. 19 health workers, 1 DSC and 1 fire force personnel also contracted the disease on Saturday.

The state also reported 2 COVID deaths on Saturday. The deceased have been identified Aruldas (70) and Baburaj (60) in Thiruvananthapuram.

Meanwhile, 204 persons tested negative for the virus on Saturday, he added. 1,73,932 people are currently under observation out of which 6841 are in hospitals. At present, there are 299 hotspots in the state.

District wise breakup of positive cases:

Thiruvananthapuram- 173
Kollam- 53
Palakkad- 49
Ernakulam- 44
Alappuzha- 42
Kannur- 39
Kasargod- 29
Idukki- 28
Pathanamthitta-28
Wayanad- 26
Kozhikode- 26
Thrissur- 21
Malappuram- 19
Kottayam- 16