COVID-19: Five new Coronavirus cases confirmed in Karnataka, total positive cases touch 20

Five new Coronavirus or COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Karnataka taking the total number of positive cases to 20.

As per the Karnataka Department of Health and Family Welfare update:

Patient 16 - a 53-year-female patient tested postive. She is the contact of patent 11.

Patient 17 - a 39-year-male patient from Bengaluru came from Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Patient 18 - a 21-year-male patient from Bengaluru has tested positive. He has returned from Edinburgh, Scotland.

Patient 19 - a 31-year-male patient from Chikkaballapura, with history of travel to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Patient 20 - a male patient aged 35 years from Mysuru has been tested positive. He has travelled from Dubai through Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) Bengaluru.

Containment measures

On Saturday (March 21), 500 teams of Bengaluru Police and BBMP made house-to-house check of about 30,000 foreign returned passengers to find out if they are obeying the HOME QUARANTINE order.

“Hand stamping will be done and notice served. They will be tracked also. Any foreign returned person violating Home Quarantine will be liable for criminal case under Indian Penal Code and Epidemic Act,” said the department note.

The department has also issued a revised order regarding containment measures and the closure of institutions has been extended upto midnight of April 1.

The Government circular stated that the officials and staff at all levels to work even on Sundays and general holidays without fail till March 31 in view of COVID-19.

In the State, 48 government Hospital and 35 private Hospitals have been identified as first respondent hospitals for the management of COVID-19 cases.

Mental health counselling is being done for positive COVID-19 cases and suspects in the identified hospitals and quarantined persons at home and hospital. So far, a total of 4,390 counselling sessions have been held till date.

Minimal transport

Public transport services in Bengaluru are likely to get disrupted. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has taken a decision to close operations while Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) are to operate minimal services.

In Bengaluru, about 20 per cent of the buses – around 1,200 – will be operational on Sunday while on Saturday, BMTC will operated 50 per cent of its fleet.

Yediyurappa’s Request

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa appealed to public to extend support to the Janata Curfew call on March 22 (Sunday).

“Karnataka government has been successful in dealing the containment of the COVID-19 virus. This has happened because of people’s co-operation. Meanwhile, Prime Minster has given a clarion call for a "Janata curfew" on Sunday and the people should extend both moral and societal support to this unique measures,” Yediyurappa said.

“Now, my appeal to people on behalf of Prime minister Narendra Modiji is, don't come on roads immediately at night when curfew time ends. Please remain settled in your houses and bungalows avoiding all public appearances on roads and other public places,” he requested.

He further said, “Your coming out in open can nullify the 14 hour measure to contain the spread of virus. As a co-operation to authorities and the society, please remain indoor and stay with your near and dear ones.”

“Finally, don't forget to appear at the window sides and on the rooftops to involve in a bout of applause as a mark of appreciation to people involved in containing the spread of virus and treating the diseased,” he added.