THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister Veena George today said that 45 more people in the state have been confirmed with the Omicron variant of Covid-19. The variant was confirmed in Ernakulam 16, Thiruvananthapuram 9, Thrissur 6, Pathanamthitta 5, Alappuzha and Kozhikode 3, Malappuram 2 and Wayanad 1. Of these, nine came from high-risk countries and 32 from low-risk countries. Four people contracted the virus through contact-three people in Alappuzha and one person in Thrissur.

Of the cases confirmed in Ernakulam, eight came from the UAE, three from Qatar, two from the UK and one each from France, the Philippines and Turkey. In Thiruvananthapuram, nine people came from the UAE. In Thrissur, three came from the UAE and one from Sweden. In Pathanamthitta, two came from the UAE and one each from Kazakhstan, Ireland and Africa. In Kozhikode, one each arrived from the UK, Uganda and Ukraine, two in Malappuram came from the UAE, and one in Wayanad is from the UAE.

With this, Omicron has been confirmed in a total of 152 people in the state. A total of 50 came from high-risk countries and 84 from low-risk countries. A total of 18 people were infected through contact.

Minister Veena George said everyone should remain vigilant as more people in the state have been confirmed with Omicron variant.

Quarantine norms must be strictly adhered to, as Omicron has been confirmed for more people coming from low risk countries. Social interactions of any kind should be avoided. These people should not visit public places or attend public functions. Everyone must wear an N95 mask in public. The minister also requested not to speak after lowering masks.