Just over two months and a week since Karnataka reported its first novel coronavirus case, the state surpassed the 1,000 mark Friday. According to the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services, 69 new cases were reported during the day, taking the total tally to 1,056. Of the new cases, 20 are of expatriates who returned to the state from Dubai as part of the first phase of Vande Bharat mission. As many as 177 people and two infants had landed at the Mangaluru airport late night on May 12 in an Air India Express flight. As per the records maintained by the health department, 15 of them are in Dakshina Kannada district while five others are in Udupi. "All of them have been admitted to designated Covid-19 hospitals in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts," Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Karnataka Heath Commissioner told Indianexpress.com Of the other cases confirmed on Friday, 13 are from Bengaluru, four from Bidar, three from Hassan, two from Chitradurga, and one case each from Shivamogga and Bagalkote. Also Read | Bengaluru airport steps up hygiene practices, gears up to welcome passengers Meanwhile, one more death was reported in the state on Friday, taking the toll to 36. The deceased is a 52-year-old male resident of Bidar. "The patient (P-1041) had a travel history to Hyderabad and was admitted to a designated hospital in Bidar on May 12. He succumbed to Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI)," health officials confirmed. Mysuru records 100 per cent coronavirus recovery In a sigh of relief to health officials and citizens in Mysuru, the department recorded a 100 per cent recovery in Mysuru District Hospital, a dedicated Covid-19 hospital in the state. Confirming the same, health officials said, "All the 90 COVID-19 positive patients admitted to Mysore District Hospital have been discharged without any deaths recorded. Thank you for all the support." Throughout the month of April, Mysuru was second on the list of districts with the most cases in Karnataka, after capital city Bengaluru. No trace of community transmission in Karnataka No community transmission has taken place in the state ever since the pandemic outbreak, reiterated Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar Friday, adding that the state has fared well in containing coronavirus. Comparing the state's statistics to the national average, he said, "The average daily growth in the number of Covid-19 cases in Karnataka is 5.4 per cent while the national average is 11.8 per cent." Also Read | Coronavirus numbers explained: Top ten states account for over 90% caseload He added, "There is no trace of community transmission in Karnataka. 25 per cent of the cases trace back to domestic and international travel history whole 7 per cent of the cases exhibit comorbidities." <p "width=420" lang="en" dir="ltr">There is no trace of community transmission in Karnataka. 25% of cases trace back to dom & intl travel history & 7% cases hv comorbidities. Avg daily growth in state is 5.4% while its 11.8% for country. With positivity rate of 1% there is 1 case for every 100 tests.@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/fLLVabwU4B— Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) May 15, 2020 As of 12 pm on May 15, the state has witnessed 476 discharges and 35 deaths. The total number of active cases in the state is 520. Not more than 50 attendees, no AC halls: Health dept norms for marriages The Karnataka Health Department has issued detailed guidelines to be followed while conducting marriages in the state in the wake of the eased lockdown measures. While it is mandatory to take prior permission for the event and to get travel passes from local authorities for the movement of people for the function, not more than 50 guests will be allowed to attend the marriage function. According to the guidelines, the event shall be held only in a place with good ventilation, striking out possibilities of conducting marriages in an air-conditioned auditorium. Health dept issues guidelines to conduct marriages in #Karnataka: -Not more than 50 attendees -No A/C halls -No attendees from containment zones -Sanitisers to be provided -List of attendees with phone nos. to be maintained; and more. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/UYNR8zTvHf — Ralph Alex Arakal (@ralpharakal) May 15, 2020 While persons above the age of 65, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 will not be permitted to attend the event, those from containment zones will also not be allowed. Those attending the wedding should wear face masks and keep a distance of more than one metre from another person. The government has now made it mandatory for people attending marriages to download Aarogya Setu application and a full list with contact details of attendees should be maintained at the venue Karnataka Health Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey said, "A nodal person will be identified to oversee arrangements and coordination at the venue." The guidelines further add that consumption of liquor, pan, gutkha, tobacco, and similar items will not be allowed while thermal screening will be compulsory for all attendees at the entrance of the venue. "Anyone found having fever, cold, cough, or difficulty in breathing shall not be permitted to attend the event and shall be immediately referred to seek medical advice," the advisory reads. Bengaluru: BMTC gears up to begin operations In the wake of lockdown relaxations expected to be announced in a phased manner, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) which operates public buses in the city has stepped up preparations to ensure safety of passengers and its staff. According to a statement by BMTC on Friday, the Corporation has made it compulsory for its personnel to undergo compulsory health check-ups while returning to duty. "All depots have been provided with infrared thermometers to test bus crew on a daily bases. To ensure the safety of the crew, all employees have been provided with masks, gloves, and sanitizers," a BMTC official said. Further, public service advertisements have been painted behind some buses displaying measures to be taken to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic. #Bengaluru: BMTC buses get ready for operations post #lockdown with awareness material regarding #COVID19. “However, further action to be taken only after govt announces directions on operations,” officials say. @IndianExpress pic.twitter.com/V4u51YxDZV — Ralph Alex Arakal (@ralpharakal) May 15, 2020 At the same time, BMTC also claims that all buses are disinfected daily before operations begin. "We are also preparing on promoting monthly/weekly passes and QR code scanning for fare collection to ensure minimal cash transactions," officials confirmed. "While these preparations are being done in a full-fledged manner, further action on operations will be taken only after government issues directions for the same," the BMTC statement read.
