Covid: Cabinet sub-panel to take preventive measures

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to constitute a cabinet sub-committee for proper coordination with experts to take necessary decisions aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19, including precautions to be taken, and treatment provided.

Karnataka has recorded three Covid-19 deaths in the past one week. After chairing a meeting with Ministers, officials and experts, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah appealed to people not to panic, but to be cautious and take precautionary measures like wearing face masks.

"A cabinet sub-committee will be constituted. Who will head it and who will be its members will be decided at the cabinet meeting. The cabinet subcommittee will meet frequently, and will also meet the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC consisting of experts). There must be proper coordination between the cabinet sub-committee and the TAC," Siddaramaiah told reporters.

"Whatever is the advice given by the TAC, should be implemented in toto," he said.

The meeting was attended by Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, Home Minister G Parameshwara, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, top government officials and TAC members.

Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar were seen masked up at the meeting. The CM noted that Covid cases are increasing and recently three people who tested positive for Covid have died in Karnataka.

"It cannot be said that they died (only) due to Covid, because they had other comorbidities or associated diseases like -- issues related to kidney, heart, lungs, blood pressure, diabetes, along with Covid-19 infection", Siddaramaiah said.

In today's meeting, the inputs from the TAC were taken, he said. The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that the "mistakes of the past" like -- shortage of oxygen, beds, ventilators and medicines -- are not repeated. Along with providing treatment to Covid patients, those with comorbidities should also get medical care.

" I have suggested that, if required, a vaccination drive should be started, for those who have not taken vaccination, as it is an important preventive measure," he added.

Urging people not to panic or worry, but to remain cautious and follow the precautionary measures, Siddaramaiah noted that the new 'JN.1' sub variant, is a sub variant of Omicron variant, which was prevalent in the past.

He said there are at present 92 Covid positive cases in the State, including 80 from Bengaluru Urban district.

"Out of 92 cases, 72 are under home isolation, while 20 are hospitalised. Out of these 20 hospitalised, 7 are in ICU, not only because of Covid, they have other comorbidities too."

It has been decided to do 5,000 Covid tests --1,500 Rapid Antigen Test and 3,500 RT-PCR tests -- every day, the Chief Minister said. About 1,000 of them will be done in Bengaluru.

Suggesting people to wear masks at crowded places, he said those above 60 should compulsorily wear masks, as also persons who come in contact with large number of people.. "It is an advisory, such a situation has not come to make it mandatory."

Siddaramaiah suggested that dedicated wards be set up at private and government hospitals with required facilities for treatment of Covid patients.

Instructions have been given to health department officials to make arrangements for oxygen, ventilators and beds among other requirements, he said.

Siddaramaiah also asked authorities to have the required amount of vaccination stocks ready, instead of waiting for the Centre to provide them.

Asked about any guidelines for New Year celebrations, the CM said there is no advisory; only that people need to wear masks as a larg e number of people gather for celebrations.

Karnataka reports 24 fresh cases

Karnataka on Thursday reported 24 fresh Covid-19 cases taking the cumulative figure since the outbreak of the virus to 40,89,174, the health department said.

With the Covid recurring in some parts, the state government intensified tests. It conducted 2,263 tests including 1,791 RTPCR.

There were 105 active cases in the state after 11 patients were discharged today, it said. Of the 24 new cases, 23 were reported in Bengaluru urban district alone while the city accounts for 93 active cases.

Also there were maximum tests (1,540) compared to any other districts of the state. Dakshina Kannada district, bordering Kerala, reported one case.