Covid-19 cases in Karnataka double in 48 hours

According to daily updates by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), 79 cases were reported in the state as of 8 am Wednesday – reportedly an increase of 35 cases since Tuesday.

On Tuesday the number jumped by 35 cases and rose to 44 from Monday’s 28, as per the Centre’s data. There were only six new cases reported on Sunday.

The neighbouring state of Kerala has recorded the highest number of active cases at 2,041 as on Wednesday. The number of cases reported in the last 48 hours has increased by 336 (112 from Monday to Tuesday and 224 from Tuesday to Wednesday). Three deaths were reported in Kerala between Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to MOHFW data, Tamil Nadu (77 cases), Maharashtra (35 cases), Goa (23), Puducherry (20), Gujarat (12 cases), and Delhi (four cases) are among the other states contributing to a total of 2,311 cases reported as of Wednesday, which is an increase of 270 cases since Tuesday.

Only Kerala and Karnataka have reported Covid deaths in the last 48 hours.

The Karnataka health department Tuesday issued an advisory for senior citizens to wear masks in public places in the light of an increase in Covid cases in the neighbouring state of Kerala.

“All elderly (60 years and above) comorbid particularly with kidney, heart, liver ailments etc), pregnant women and lactating mothers when outdoor shall wear face masks and strictly avoid visiting closed, poorly ventilated and crowded areas,” an advisory issued by the office of the Karnataka Health Commissioner D Randeep said.

The advisory has been issued on the basis of recommendations made by the Covid-19 state technical advisory committee in a meeting held on December 17.

“In the context of the current scenario of Covid-19 in the country and the emergence of JN.1 sub-variant in neighbouring Kerala and Tamil Nadu states and the ongoing winter and the expected crowding particularly in close spaces during the year end and New Year festivities, the general public are advised to comply with precautionary measures,” the advisory stated.

The guidelines directed all those with respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, running nose to seek early medical consultation and wear facemasks (covering nose and mouth).

No need to impose restrictions on Kerala, Tamil Nadu borders: Karnataka

The state health department has taken a slew of proactive measures to bring down the Covid-19 cases.

It has advised the public not to panic and said that there was no need to immediately ramp up the cross border (Kerala and Tamil Nadu) surveillance by imposing restrictions.

However, all bordering districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have to be vigilant and ensure adequate testing and timely reporting of Covid cases, the department has stated.

The state has on clinical side recommended the testing of all SARI cases and at least one in 20 ILI cases for Covid-19 at all private and government tertiary centres, including those in medical colleges.

Whole genome sequencing has been advised for samples from symptomatic people with recent foreign travel history, from representative samples in clusters with severe morbidity or mortality, Covid-19 reinfection cases, infection in vaccinated individuals and Covid deaths.

All health facilities have been asked to conduct drills for preparedness in the third and fourth week of December.