<span style="color: #222222;">In the highest single-day spike of COVID-19 cases, Kerala confirms 111 positive cases today. Air correspondent reports, the total active Covid cases in the State rose to  973. 22 people recovered from the disease today.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the situation in Kerala as "challenging."</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Of the 111 fresh Covid cases , 98 people came from abroad and other States and ten  cases are through contact,  including 3 health workers. Mr Vijayan said the  rising number of cases points to the need to  practice social distancing norms more rigorously despite the lockdown relaxations.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Chief Minister also said that religious places, shopping malls and restaurants can start functioning from next week as per Center's guidelines following strict Covid protocols.However, people aged above 65 and children below 10 years should stay at home.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He further said that there will rise of Covid cases in coming days with  over 1 lakh returnees  expected from abroad and as part of precaution the surveillance will be strengthened  and more antibody tests will be conducted in the State.</span><br />''