THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With 19 more people testing positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Kerala, the total number of infections by the new variant in the State reached 57, the Health Department said on Sunday.

Of the 19 cases, 11 were detected in Ernakulam, six in Thiruvananthapuram and one each in Thrissur and Kannur.

Those diagnosed with Omicron variant in Ernakulam are from the UK-3, UAE-2, Ireland- 2, Spain- 1, Canada- 1, Qatar- 1 and the Netherlands- 1. Those diagnosed in Thiruvananthapuram are from the UK- 1, Ghana- 1 and Qatar- 1. Three people contracted the disease through contact.

The person confirmed with the variant in Thrissur came from UAE and the person in Kannur came from Sharjah.

The department advised everyone to be extra vigilant in view of the rise in Omicron cases in the State.

(with PTI inputs)