<span style="color: #222222;">Kerala confirmed 4,723  new COVID-19 positive cases today.  A total of   59,524 samples were tested in the last 24 hours. The test positivity rate is 7.93 percent at present. 19  deaths were also confirmed due to COVID today, taking the total death toll to  40,132. Bringing respite, 5370 recoveries were also reported today. At present, 43,663 is the active caseload in the state.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed to strengthen vigilance in the state in the wake of the spread of the new Omicron variant. The CM also directed the health department to organize a special vaccination drive in the state from December 1 to 15.</span><br />''