2 Covid-related deaths reported in Karnataka

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Two Covid-19 related deaths and 20 fresh cases were reported in Karnataka, according to a health bulletin issued on Wednesday. The bulletin stated that the deceased - both male aged 44 and 76 - died on December 16 and December 17 respectively in Bengaluru.

One of them was asymptomatic while the other patient complained of breathlessness.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that a 64-year-old man died in the city due to Covid-19 infection five days ago.

Asked if the cause of death was the new subvariant JN.1 of the SARS CoV2 virus, he said it was not known so far.

The person, who had comorbidities, was a resident of Chamarajpet and died on December 15, the Minister told reporters.

As of Wednesday, there are 92 active cases in Karnataka, of which, 72 are in home isolation, 20 in hospital, seven in ICU and 13 in general ward.

In the last 24 hours, a total of 808 tests were done across various districts in the state. The covid positivity rate in the state stood at 2.49 per cent while the case fatality rate stood at 10 per cent.

 Rao, said the state government would increase testing to gauge the rate of Covid-19 infections. Instructions have been issued to do more tests, especially in border districts -- Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Chamarajanagara and Mysuru.

The Karnataka government on Tuesday issued an advisory asking people above 60 years, those with comorbidities, pregnant women and lactating mothers, to wear face masks when outdoors.

'614 Covid cases in a day in India but don't panic'

As many as 21 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected across the country till now, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul said but asserted that there was no need to panic.

Paul highlighted that about 91 to 92 per cent of those infected are opting for homebased treatment.

India recorded 614 new coronavirus infections in a day, the highest since May 21.