Karnataka is battling coronavirus pandemic with a multi-dimensional approach so far, making it one of the most proactive states in the country. It has launched a host of measures to check the spread of the virus in the state.

On Wednesday, the state launched a new critical care support unit to monitor the progress of Covid-19 patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Calling it the first of its kind in the country, Minister for Medical Education, said this would link the ICUs of different hospitals across the state that are treating coronavirus patients on a single platform.

By monitoring data on Covid-19 patients in ICUs, this platform is aimed at addressing shortfalls in the treatment that may possibly arise. Once a hospital uploads its ICU preparedness on the platform, a doctor will certify it. The hospitals are then required to upload details of the patients and the treatment procedure followed.

“Data is then monitored and analysed by experts and the nodal officer is intimated on deviation so that the data can be compiled and reported to a taskforce of experts on a daily basis. This data is of immense help as it allows us to take precautionary measures to avoid escalations,”explained Commissioner of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Pankaj Pandey, as reported.

On the first day of the second phase of lockdown yesterday, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa also formed three groups of ministers (GoM) each of which will look into a different set of efforts to ensure life in the state isn’t hampered during the lockdown.

In a bid to boost the government’s efforts to enforce the coronavirus lockdown without disrupting essential services, the Chief Minister has appointed three senior ministers to head each of these GoMs.

The GoM headed by Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan will have Cooperation Minister S T Somashekhar, Horticulture Minister K Narayana Gowda, Food and Civil Supplies Minister K Gopalaiah and Agriculture Minister B C Patil. This group will be in charge of the GoM that will ensure the supply of essential goods. This includes the supply of agricultural and horticultural commodities in the state.

The GoM that will focus on the lives of migrant workers will be headed by Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar, who also held the labour portfolio. He will be aided by Labour Minister Shivaram Hebbar. The state has opened around 1,200 relief camps providing basic essentials and shelter to over 1.3 lakh migrants across the city.

The third GoM headed by Revenue Minister R Ashoka will take charge of provision of essential supplies and monitor the public distribution system in Bengaluru as the state has assured that even those with no ration cards, which is around 2.5 lakh people as per their estimate for now, will be provided food supplies free of charge.