Kerala continues to report surge in COVID figures as it confirmed 22,946 new COVID-19 positive cases on Monday. The capital city of Thiruvananthapuram has reported the highest number of infections with  5,863 fresh cases. Ernakulam reported 4,100 new covid positive cases.  A total of 69,373 samples were tested in the last 24 hours and the test positivity rate stands at 33.07 percent. 18 deaths were also confirmed due to COVID today. With this the Corona death toll in the state has reached 50,904. Bringing respite, 5,280 recoveries were also reported today. At present, 1,21,458 is the active caseload in the state.<br />''<br />''Meanwhile, State Health Minister Veena George said that ward level COVID prevention activities will be strengthened throughout the state. Ward level committees will be strengthened and volunteers will be engaged. Awareness activities will be intensified at the local body level. Kudumbasree workers would also be involved in covid related awareness campaigns.<br />''<br />''State Education Minister V. Sivankutty said that all preparations have been completed to provide Covid vaccination to children in schools from Wednesday onwards. He was speaking to media persons after a high level review meeting in Thiruvananthapuram. Currently, more than 51 percent of children have been vaccinated. Vaccine centres are being set up in schools with more than 500 children.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">As Kerala continues to witness an unprecedented hike in covid figures, stricter curbs are being implemented throughout the state.  The 26th Kerala International Film Festival, scheduled to be held from February 4, has been postponed. The film festival will be held later when the Covid situation changes. The revised date of the film Festival will be announced later. Also, tourists will not be allowed to enter the Ponmudi and Agasthyarkoodam tourist spots from tomorrow onwards. For those who have already booked online, the amount will be refunded online. Offline booking will not be permitted.</span>