Karnataka Government Gets Tough With Those Hampering Covid-19 Control Operations

As the state registered two more cases this noon, taking the total number of infected to 13, Karnataka government is going all out to ensure it contains the spread of Corona virus.

Especially in the situation of patients who have been tested positive or suspected going missing from the hospitals, Commissioner of Police Bhaskar Rao has warned that those who do not cooperate with the authorities will have to face the music.

Rao warned that action will be taken against those who do not cooperate in the treatment of Corona suspect cases and those who escape from hospitals and observations centres.

They will have to face a criminal case under Karnataka Police Act section 31(L).

“From the point of view of public health safety, the government has issued certain orders. Everyone is expected to follow them. But some ‘over smart ones’ and VIPs are putting everyone at risk by disregarding these orders. Everyone is expected to do their bit before the situation goes out of hand,” remarked Rao.

The eleventh case confirmed on Tuesday was a of 67-year-old woman who had returned to Bengaluru from Dubai via Goa on 9 March 2020. Reported to have a history of chronic kidney disease, she was on home quarantine since arrival and moved to an isolation ward in a designated hospital on 16 March.

As tweeted by Minister for Health B Sriramulu, the two new cases that have been confirmed today were of a 56-year-old male who had returned from USA on 6 March and a 25-year-old woman who came back from Spain. Both of them have been sent to isolation in designated hospitals.

The state government also announced that it would handover a 300-bed super-speciality hospital to Infosys Foundation. Chairperson Sudha Murthy had earlier this month offered to set up a hospital in association with Dr. Devi Shetty of Narayana Hospitals in the wake of the pandemic.

“The hospital will be operational in 10 to 15 days,” said Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar,” as quoted. All non-essential medical services, like dental health clinics too have been asked to be suspended.

Meanwhile in Dakshina Kannada, which saw the state’s 10th case of Coronavirus, section 144(3) has been imposed in order to curb people from gathering in public spaces.

All religious functions and celebrations, cultural activities in all places of worship that would involve mass gathering of people have been suspended under the same order by the district administration.

People have also been prohibited from visiting beaches in the coastal district.