THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state confirmed 6753 COVID-19 cases on Friday, Health Minister KK Shailaja said. Among these, 6109 persons developed the disease through contact including 510 cases without an identified source of infection. 72 persons who came from outside the state tested positive for the virus. 62 health workers contracted the disease on Friday.

Meanwhile, one UK returnee tested positive for the mutated variant of the virus in the last 24 hours. The person has been identified as a native of Kannur. 2 UK returnees tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. So far, 68 UK returnees have tested positive for COVID-19. Their samples have been sent to Pune NIV for further tests.

6108 patients tested negative for the virus today. As of now, there are 70,395 active cases in the state.

The state confirmed 19 deaths due to the virus on Friday with the toll rising to 3564.

District wise breakup of positive cases:

Ernakulam-1018

Kozhikode- 740

Pathanamthitta- 624

Malappuram- 582

Kottayam- 581

Kollam- 573

Thrissur- 547

Thiruvananthapuram- 515

Alappuzha- 409

Kannur- 312

Palakkad- 284

Wayanad- 255

Idukki- 246

Kasargod- 67

In the last 24 hours, 58,057 samples have been tested. The test positivity rate stands at 11.63.

With the addition of 4 new regions and the removal of 3, there are 407 hotspots in the state.