Cases spike; Karnataka makes RTPCR must for all inbound travellers

All those people planning to enter Karnataka will now have to take an RT-PCR test and ensure it is negative, as per the latest guidelines issued by the government.

Higher Education Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan said interstate borders will not be closed, but the officials there will demand RT-PCR negative report and certificate of two doses of vaccine before they let in anybody.

Karnataka shares borders with Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The state has been witnessing a rapid rise in the number of COVID cases. On Thursday (January 6), Karnataka’s new COVID cases rose to 5,031, while the positivity rate went up from 3.33 per cent to 3.95 per cent. While new cases recorded in Bengaluru were 4,324, and the positivity rate went up to 7.5 per cent.

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The total omicron cases in the state are 226, while the death is one, which was reported in Bengaluru. On Wednesday, 4,246 fresh cases had been reported, the number of active cases standing at 17,414.

Over the last few days, the number of cases has shot up across India, raising the positivity rate, which on Wednesday stood at 3.33 per cent. The case fatality rate was 0.04 per cent as two new deaths were reported.

Much of the cases belonged to the state capital Bengaluru, which reported 3,605 of the 4,246. Dakshina Kannada followed with 111 new cases, which was then followed by Udupi 88, and Mysuru 59 and others.

The state has administered 8,84,01,580 vaccination doses as on Wednesday, which includes the new group of 15-17 year olds.