COVID-19: With nine new cases, Karnataka ramps up precautionary measures

Karnataka government increases COVID-19 precautions with targeted testing, reassures public, and prepares for school reopening.

Following a gradual rise in COVID-19 cases, the Karnataka government has ramped up precautionary measures, including targeted testing, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Sunday.

With nine new cases reported in the last 24 hours, the total number of active cases in Karnataka increased to 47 on Sunday. Except for one patient who has been hospitalised, all others are being treated at home.

Mr. Rao, who on Sunday reiterated that there is no need to panic at this stage, said that although the variant in circulation is highly transmissible, it is not known to cause severe infection.

With schools and colleges set to reopen soon, the Minister emphasised that the current situation does not warrant any concern or restrictions. “Officials and experts are constantly monitoring, and decisions on any further measures, if needed, will be taken based on the situation, in consultation with the Central government,” he said.

Addressing the media following the death of an 84-year-old man who had tested positive for the virus and had multiple comorbidities, the Minister said, “We have asked for a death audit. His death, which occurred on May 17, cannot be directly attributed to COVID. The deceased had been bedridden for over a year, and he was suffering from cardiac issues and tuberculosis. He had also undergone a hip replacement and died of septic shock and multiorgan failure.”

Pointing out that testing is being prioritised for high-risk categories, particularly among the elderly and children with symptoms of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI), the Minister said testing kits that would suffice for over a month would reach government facilities in a day or two.

Preparations had been made for testing at 10 labs in the State, including NIMHANS, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, and National Institute of Virology’s unit in Bengaluru, he added.