<span style="color: #222222;">Kerala continues to report a surge in COVID cases as it confirmed 35,801 new covid positive cases on Sunday. The test positivity rate is at alarming 28.88 percent. This is the highest TPR that has been reported in the state till date since the outbreak of the pandemic. 68 deaths were also confirmed due to Covid on Sunday taking the total death toll to 5,814. Bringing relief, 29,318 people recovered from the covid infection. At present 4,23,514 people are undergoing COVID treatment in Kerala.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, the State Government renewed the COVID treatment guidelines in the state. According to the new guidelines,  all fever clinics functioning in the state will be converted to COVID clinics from now on. Government hospitals will focus primarily on COVID treatment.  New oxygen beds will be set up in taluk hospitals. Until the 31st of this month, non-covid treatments will be done based on priority of the health status of patients with critical illness. The guideline also states that the involvement of private hospitals  will be strictly ensured for COVID treatment.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In the wake of COVID surge, the Panchayat Director has directed to strengthen ward level committees in all the panchayats in the state. A special team will be formed to visit the panchayats in the districts with high test positivity rates and take further action. All the Panchayats in the state have been directed to take steps to provide food to the needy in wake of the lockdown.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, the lockdown imposed in the state following the escalation of the COVID outbreak entered its second day today. People at large are co-operating better in following the restrictions. However, Police have tightened their norms and inspections after many cases of violations of restrictions were reported in remote areas of the state yesterday. The streets were generally seen deserted as only shops selling essential goods were allowed to function. With the introduction of police e-pass for emergency travel, the streets are getting less crowded. Police said, the pass should be applied only for emergencies and the facility should not be misused. Applications for the pass have crossed one lakh. More than 25,000 police personnel have been deployed throughout the state for enforcing the lockdown guidelines. Inspection and screening of vehicles are being carried out strictly at the district and state boundaries.</span><br />''  <br />