<span style="color: #222222;">Kerala continues to report surge in COVID 19 cases as it confirmed 17,466 new infection cases today. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Test Positivity Rate, TPR is 12.3 percent at present. 66 deaths were also confirmed due to COVID today taking the death toll to 16,035. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Bringing respite, 15,247 people recovered from the COVID infection. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">At present, over 1 lakh 30,000 infected people are undergoing treatment in the state.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The TPR figures looming over 10 percent is a cause of concern for the state's Health Department. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">COVID sub-divisions will be formed under the leadership of DySPs and Assistant Commissioners to strengthen preventive measures in areas where the Covid confirmation rate is still not subsiding. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Covid sub-divisional officers will be in charge of Covid defense operations in such areas. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">State police chief Anil Kant has passed an official order regarding this to all district police chiefs. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Also, an d order has been issued regarding the functioning of institutions including government offices and public sector undertakings. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Offices and institutions in Category A and B can have up to 50 per cent staff and areas in the C category can function with a maximum staff up to 25 per cent. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In category D, only essential services will be allowed to function. Others will have to work from home. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">However, there is no change in the functioning of banks and other financial institutions.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, the weekend lockdown imposed in the state  continued today also. Permission was granted for essential services only. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Public transportation was allowed for emergency travels only. Train and air passengers are allowed to travel after furnishing the necessary documents. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The police have been conducting state-wide inspections to ensure that the COVID protocol and safety measures were being implemented and carried out promptly.</span><br />''