The end of Covid has begun: Karnataka Health Minister
Flyers from South Africa and other affected countries will be tested on arrival: Karnataka Health Minister
Sudhakar urges 45 lakh people in Karnataka to take second dose of vaccine at earliest
BENGALURU:
Following the discovery of a more virulent Covid-19 strain, named Omicron, in South Africa, the state is on high alert, said Minister for Health & Medical Education Dr K Sudhakar on Saturday. Omicron has been detected in South Africa, Hong Kong, Israel and Botswana, but there is no sign of it in Karnataka, the Minister said.
Also Read: BBMP on alert over rise in city Covid cases
The Minister said, “We had a meeting on preventive measures yesterday and released guidelines. People coming from these affected countries will take an RT-PCR test once they land in Bengaluru. If found positive, they will stay in and around the airport for treatment. Home quarantine will be mandatory after their arrival. We have deployed Health Department officials at the airport to monitor the situation.”
Also Read: If no nod from Centre by Dec 1, Karnataka will take call on vaccine booster dose: CM
Also Read: ‘Omicron’ scare: Kerala, Maharashtra visitors to Karnataka must carry RT-PCR test reports
Urging citizens of Karnataka who have not yet done so to take the second dose of the vaccine, he said, “I request the 45 lakh people who are yet to take the second dose to get it on priority.”
Karnataka has achieved 90% first dose coverage while the country as a whole has 80% first dose coverage. The state has a second dose coverage of 57% as against 42% for the whole country. “We have managed the pandemic situation efficiently with the guidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the Minister added.
Also Read: Karnataka may get Centre’s nod for vaccine booster dose soon: Revenue Minister
Funds for general medicines
Commenting on the issue of medicines procurement, the Minister said District Health Officers have been given Rs 38 crore for the purpose. Due to Covid, there was a delay in buying general medicines this year, and tenders did not take place as the matter is before the court. “Funds have been released to buy medicines locally, and medicines will be available at all taluk and district hospitals in 3-4 days,” Sudhakar said.
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ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಕೋವಿಡ್ ನ ಹೊಸ ರೂಪಾಂತರಿ ವೈರಾಣು ನಿಯಂತ್ರಣಕ್ಕೆ ಕ್ರಮ: ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಸಚಿವ ಡಾ.ಕೆ. ಸುಧಾಕರ್
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಕೇರಳದಿಂದ ಬರುವವರಿಗೆ ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಕಡ್ಡಾಯ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು: ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಆಯುಕ್ತರು ಗೌರವ್ ಗುಪ್ತ
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