Thiruvananthapuram, May 12 (IANS): Five new cases took the number of active Covid-19 cases in Kerala to 32 on Tuesday. Of the new cases, four had came from abroad and one from Chennai, said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, here on Tuesday.

"Of the present 32 cases, 23 came from outside the state -- 11 from abroad, 6 from Chennai, 4 from Maharashtra and two from Nizamuddin, he said. As on date, 524 tested positive in the state. While 31,143 people are under home observation, 473 in hospitals.

"We have entered a new phase as people are coming from outside. It's going to be a challenge. We have found that 70 per cent cases came from outside, and the rest were their contacts. The spread is less than one per cent, and the mortality rate miniscule," he said.

Of the new arrivals, 33,116 from within the country came by road, 1,406 by planes and 833 by ship.

"Home quarantine has been successful in curbing the spread. All must abide by the guidelines. The police will ensure that people follow the rules. Things are not back to the usual. Hence, all should be doubly careful with easing of lockdown," the Chief Minister said.

While Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and Kolam districts have no Covid-19 cases, the other 11 districts have cases. There are 34 hotspots in the state.