In Kerala, a 24-hour lockdown is imposed today to slow down rapid spread of Covid-19, with only emergency services being operated. Most private vehicles keep off the road and police have intensified checking of vehicular traffic across the State.  <br />''<br />''Only parcel services are allowed in hotels and restaurants.<br />''<br />''Government has directed private hospitals to earmark 50 percent of beds for Covid-19 patients in the wake of continued surge in Covid cases.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Kerala reported 45 thousand 136 Covid-19 positive cases and 21 thousand 324 recoveries in last 24 hours. Test Positivity Rate further surged to 44.8%.  The state's active caseload has risen to two lakhs  47 thousand 227.</span><br />