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Experts have attributed to the XBB variant the rise in Covid infections in Karnataka, where the weekly average positivity rate is 3.75 per cent and the case fatality rate 0.35 per cent. There were 1,572 active cases—1,074 of them in Bengaluru—and 99 hospitalisations on Tuesday.
M K Sudarshan, chairman of the technical advisory committee, said healthy individuals recovered fast. “XBB and its sub-variants which are in circulation now, are highly transmissible and leading to infections. Healthy individuals get symptoms like cough and cold. They recover and get along with their daily routine. However, people with comorbidities are at risk. Some patients, while being treated for comorbidities, are found to be Covid- positive,” he said.
“Yesterday, mock drills were conducted at the hospitals. Fewer than 1 per cent of the beds are occupied. People should adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour,” he added.
Dr Indira Kabade, medical superintendent at the K C General Hospital, said, “We have reserved 50 beds for Covid patients and are ready to respond to emergency situations.”
A separate block at the Victoria Hospital has been equipped with 50 beds including ICU and high- dependency-units beds to cater to Covid patients.
Dr Sandeep H S, a pulmonologist at the BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, said, “Definitely there is an increase in Covid cases. Most of them are mild. Patients need to seek medical attention if at all they develop any symptoms suggestive of Covid.”
On April 10, the Union health ministry directed states to adopt a five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccinate and to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour to control the spread of the infection.
It instructed the states to strengthen hospital infrastructure in terms of trained manpower, essential drugs and equipment. “Encourage uptake of precaution doses among eligible beneficiaries. Improve community awareness to encourage early reporting of symptoms and testing as well as adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour, particularly in terms of avoiding overcrowded/poorly ventilated settings and use of masks in such settings,” its circular said.
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