Karnataka sets ‘benchmark’: 4 lakh-plus Covid-19 tests, recovery rate 44 per cent
‘Rise in cases coming from containment zones, returnees’
All senior citizens in containment zones to be tested
BENGALURU:
There is no need to panic about the increasing cases of corona infection in the state, said Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar in a statement to the media on Friday. He said there was no community spread of the virus in Karnataka. The rise in cases is due to containment zones and travellers who are coming from other states and abroad. All precautionary measures have been taken to quarantine and test them.
About 64% of the total number of cases statewide is due to primary and secondary contacts, 25% of the positive cases is traced back to travel history (7% foreign and 18% domestic). About 7% of cases are because of SARI, ILI and other co-morbidities, the minister explained. The positivity rate in the country is 5%, but in the state it is just 1%. Only one out of every hundred tests is turning out to be positive for corona, which is a consolation factor for the state, he added.
Dr.Sudhakar said that while the media had been saying the highest number of cases is from Bengaluru, the fact is that the number of tests in the city has increased.
The minister has directed health officials to take swab samples of all senior citizens within containment areas. Dr. Sudhakar said he had instructed the officials to conduct on-the-spot rapid tests during his visit to Padarayanapura. Establishment of corona testing laboratories in all districts is in progress. So far, 38 labs have been set up and testing is underway. By the end of May, the number of tests will increase from 13,000 to 15,000 with 60 labs operating, the minister said.
Dr Sudhakar said the state government has taken all precautionary measures in the fight against Covid-19. Citizens need not panic, but should follow the guidelines, be safe and help the government in this fight. “Together we can defeat Corona,” he said.
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