Covid-19 surge in India: Karnataka implements measures; face masks must for 60 years+ | Oneindia

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In response to the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in neighbouring Kerala and the identification of a new sub-variant of the virus, the Karnataka government has implemented new measures to safeguard its citizens. Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao, in a press conference held in Madikeri on Monday, announced that face masks are now mandatory for individuals above 60 years of age and those with comorbidities.

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00:00 The Karnataka government has implemented new measures to safeguard its citizens in response

00:06 to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in neighbouring Kerala and the identification of a new sub-variant

00:12 of the virus.

00:13 Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao in a press conference held in Madikeri on

00:18 Monday announced that face masks are now mandatory for individuals above 60 years of age and

00:24 those with comorbidities.

00:26 Moreover, individuals exhibiting symptoms such as fever, cold and cough are also required

00:32 to wear masks compulsorily.

00:35 Minister Gundu Rao highlighted that this decision is part of the state's proactive efforts

00:40 to protect the most vulnerable population from the virus.

00:43 Concerns were raised about potential restrictions on Sabarimala pilgrims returning from Kerala.

00:49 However, Minister Gundu Rao clarified that as of now, no movement or gathering restrictions

00:54 are in place.

00:55 He stated that monitoring will continue in districts bordering Kerala, including Chamarajanagar,

01:01 Kodagu and Dakshinakannada.

01:03 The minister added that tourists and devotees, especially those travelling to Sabarimala

01:08 from the state, have been cautioned.

01:10 Minister Gundu Rao announced that an official order mandating the wearing of face masks

01:14 along with other guidelines will be issued after a meeting with the Technical Advisory

01:18 Committee on COVID-19 on Tuesday.

01:21 The committee, led by Dr K. Ravi, head of the Department of Medicine at Bangalore Medical

01:25 College and Research Institute, is expected to provide additional guidelines on safeguards.

01:31 Over the last three months, Karnataka has reported 58 active COVID-19 cases, with 11

01:36 individuals hospitalized and one COVID-related death.

01:40 Minister Gundu Rao reassured the public that there is no immediate cause for concern.

01:44 He informed of one death due to COVID-19, but the person also had comorbidities.

01:49 Gundu Rao stressed the importance of preparedness and learning from past experiences.

01:54 To enhance the state's readiness, the health department has ordered 3 lakh medical kits,

01:59 PPE kits and an increased number of rapid antigen tests or RAT, particularly in regions

02:04 bordering Kerala and the state capital of Bengaluru.

02:08 Currently, mock drills are underway at all government hospitals to assess the preparedness

02:13 of medical infrastructure in handling potential emergencies.

02:17 These drills encompass bed availability, staff readiness, oxygen plant functionality and

02:22 essential medical supplies.

02:24 Minister Gundu Rao ruled out the imposition of any movement restrictions at this stage,

02:28 but emphasized the need for stringent monitoring to ensure the safety and well-being of the

02:33 citizens of Karnataka.

03:01 Minister Gundu Rao said that the state has already taken precautions to increase testing

03:14 in all the hospitals and health centres.

03:17 "We have already started the purchase for getting more RT-PCR kits and rapid antigen

03:41 tests, all those kits that are necessary.

03:44 We have some in stock but we will be requiring more.

03:47 So we will amp up testing.

03:48 Then through that we will come to know whether the infections are there or on the rise or

03:53 not.

03:54 Post that then we can take a decision.

03:56 No, right now I don't think we should panic and start checking at the border areas or

04:02 stopping movement.

04:03 That is not required.

04:04 But we will keep an extra vigil on those border area hospitals and nursing, our hospital health

04:11 centres to do more testing there in particular so that we can pick up any early rise in cases.

04:19 And also we have done a mock drill in all our hospitals and health centres for availability

04:26 of ICU beds, reserved some in case if there is a breakdown of COVID then we need to have

04:34 enough ICU beds, enough oxygen, enough all the other drugs that are required, consumables,

04:41 all those things we have told them to keep in stock and keep everything available.

04:46 So there should not be any lack of ventilators or oxygen or anything.

04:50 Spoken to the chairman of the technical advisory committee.

04:53 So earlier we had thought that we will fix the meeting because they are out of station

04:57 but they will be doing it today itself online.

04:59 They will be sitting and discussing all those things and tomorrow whatever the technical

05:05 advisory committee recommends that direction also we will be issuing it.

05:09 Maybe by tomorrow we should issue the directions or maybe even today itself.

05:16 [BLANK_AUDIO]

Covid-19 surge in India: Karnataka implements measures; face masks must for 60 years+ | Oneindia

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