BENGALURU:
Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Wednesday said in all probability the end of Covid-19 has begun and hence people should not panic even if a third or fourth wave hits the country, because it can be controlled.
“In all probability, the end of Covid has begun. I have told this in the beginning, but I am still not in a position to accurately claim. The end of Covid is inevitable. One day it has to go,” he told the media here.
Sudhakar said people should not panic if the country faces a third or fourth Covid wave, because it will not be as severe as the first two waves.
“If you see the history of pandemics, the first two waves, especially the second, have always been severe and virulent. Many examples are before us. The Spanish Flu is one such example, or any other pandemic for that matter.
“The second wave of Covid in India was severe. the third and fourth wave, even if it hits us, it can be controlled. There won’t be any tragedy… Therefore, people should not panic,” he said.
Giving an update on vaccination, Sudhakar said two-thirds of Karnataka is now vaccinated with both doses.
He also said the state has tested 5,008 international passengers at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru between Dec 1 to 6 and none of them have tested positive.
As of Tuesday, Sudhakar said as many as 299 new cases of Covid-19 were registered in Karnataka and the positivity rate stood at 0.36 per cent. And there are 7,100 active cases, out of which Bengaluru registered 5,294 cases, he said.
On Omicron scare, he said that the five contacts of Omicron-positive people have no symptoms of the disease which showed the importance of vaccinations.
Education Minister BC Nagesh said classes and scheduled exams will be held as usual.
The government is continuously reviewing Covid cases and necessary action will be taken after consulting with the experts in coming days, he said.
The minister said officials have been advised to strictly implement the guidelines in residential schools after the emergence of Covid clusters in some parts of the state. “According to the data so far, there is no need to worry,” he said.
“All must follow Covid safety rules,” he said.
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued orders on Sunday making it mandatory for those visiting malls and theaters to be fully vaccinated. The BBMP has started vaccination drives at some malls in Bengaluru following the issuance of the order.
