Kerala witnessed a slight rise in the COVID graph as it confirmed 13,550 new positive cases today.<br />'' <br />''The test positivity rate is 11 per cent at present.<br />'' <br />''In all, 104 deaths were also confirmed due to COVID today taking the total death toll to 13,093.<br />'' <br />''Bringing respite, 10283 people recovered from the COVID infection.<br />'' <br />''At present, a total of 99,174 people are undergoing treatment in the state.<br />'' <br />''Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan while briefing the media expressed concern regarding the TPR hike hovering over 10 per cent.<br />'' <br />''He said that the COVID restrictions imposed will continue as such in areas where the TPR is continuously escalating.<br />'' <br />''He also said that the spread of the pandemic is nowhere reaching below the minimum level.<br />'' <br />''He added that the number of COVID patients is not declining significantly these days and hence the spread rate of the infection is expected to decline only on a very gradual pace throughout the state.<br />'' <br />''The Chief Minister said that the COVID restrictions in the state would remain unchanged in the coming days.<br />'' <br />''Restrictions will continue on the basis of sorting out regions into four main zones based on the rate of spread of the Corona virus infection and TPR figures.<br />'' <br />''He also informed that the protocol regarding the burying of bodies of those who died due to COVID has been changed.<br />'' <br />''Permission will now be granted to keep the mortal remains of the infected person at home for less than an hour and to conduct various religious ceremonies on a very limited basis.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The CM also urged the people to put up a tough fight against the pandemic by strictly adhering to all the necessary safety health measures and COVID protocol.</span><br />