Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala reported its highest daily Omicron case-count on Wednesday when nine fresh cases were confirmed by the health department. With this, the total has reached 24, informed state Health Minister Veena George.

Six of the fresh cases had arrived from Ernakulam while three that reached Thiruvananthapuram were also confirmed with the latest variant of the virus.

A couple aged 54 and 52 from Nigeria and a UK returnee woman, aged 51, were the cases reported in the capital.

In Kochi, two of the six cases – 18 and 47 years – landed from the United Kingdom while a 26-year-old from Ireland also tested positive. Three others came from African countries, including a 44-year-old woman from Ghana. A 43-year-old woman and a 11-year-old, who came from Tanzania were the other cases.

"All those from Ernakulam reached the state on December 18 and 19 and tested positive on arrival,” minister Veena George said, adding that they do not have any primary contacts as they were shifted to the hospital directly.

“However, the couple in Thiruvananthapuram that reached the state on December 10 and tested positive on December 17 has their daughters in the contact list. The woman from the UK in Thiruvananthapuram was found positive on arrival.”

Kerala had reported its first Omicron case on December 12 in a UK returnee in Kochi.
(With agency inputs)