COVID-19: Karnataka reports 130 new cases; infections breach 2k-mark

COVID-19 cases in Karnataka breached the 2,000 mark on Sunday (May 24) with the detection of 130 infections, most of them returnees to the state from Maharashtra, the Health department said.

It said the total number of positive cases are now 2,056, including 654 discharges, 1,391 active cases and 42 deaths. Of the total number of cases, 100 had returned from Maharashtra and 41 of them were women.

Two of the coronavirus infected persons had a travel history to Dubai and the United Kingdom, the department said.

Giving the break up of cases, the Health department said 27 patients were from Chikkaballapura, 24 from Yadagiri, 23 from Udupi, 15 from Mandya, 14 from Hassan, six each from Kalaburagi and Bidar, four from Davangere, two each from Tumakuru, Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada and one each from Kodagu, Vijayapura, Dakshina Kannada, Bengaluru Urban and Dharwad.

Cops test positive, three police stations sealed

Meanwhile, three police stations in Udupi district were sealed after three police personnel at these stations tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday.

The infected policemen were identified as an assistant sub-inspector, head constable and a constable at Ajekar, Karkala and Brahmavar police stations respectively in the district, official sources said.

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The Karkala rural, Ajekar and Brahmavar police stations have been sealed down. Since the offices of Karkala rural, town and circle inspector are located in the same building, all offices were closed.

Official sources said around 80 policemen in the three stations will be quarantined. The district administration is in the process of identifying the source of infection.

Two of the policemen were on duty at check posts and quarantine centres.

Udupi Deputy Commissioner G Jagadeesha said the police stations will be fully sanitised and reopened within two days.

Guidelines for domestic arrivals

While laying down rules for passengers who arrive in the state via domestic flights, the state government said travellers from seven particular states, including Maharashtra, Delhi and Tamil Nadu, where COVID-19 cases are high, will have to undergo a week-long institutional quarantine.

A day ahead of resumption of the services in the country amid the COVID-19 lockdown, the state government on Sunday issued an order deleting domestic air travel from the list of prohibited activities with effect from Monday and allowed unhindered movement of passengers, airport staff and the crew even during the curfew period.

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The airport administration on its part said it would ensure taxis that would be used by passengers were sanitised and drivers screened before every trip to eliminate all chances of infection.

Face mask will be mandatory for both passengers and drivers for taxi travel.

“Incoming domestic flight passengers from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Delhi & Madhya Pradesh will undergo 7 day institutional Quarantine followed by home quarantine,” Karnataka Director General of Police Praveen Sood tweeted.

In view of the resumption of domestic flights, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates the Kempegowda International Airport here, on Sunday said it has put in place heightened sanitisation measures to ensure that taxi journey from the airport was healthy and safe.

“With passenger and driver safety being one of the major priorities, BIAL will ensure that the taxis are sanitised and the drivers are screened before every trip to eliminate all chances of infection,” it said in a statement.

The company said the drivers have been instructed to maintain a safe distance. They will be encouraged to use hand sanitiser and face masks to make the car a safe space.

It appealed to the able-bodied passengers to load their luggage into the car without driver assistance.

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However, for elderly citizens and passengers with reduced mobility, drivers will assist while following hygiene measures. It has made it clear that the masks are mandatory for both drivers of taxis as well as passengers.

In addition to it, staff who manage taxi services at airport, including Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), Ola, Uber and other car rental operators, will be screened.

“Drivers will be screened before arriving at the airport pick-up zone to ensure passenger safety; they will be de- rostered if a fever is detected. Penalties will be levied for spitting in public,” the BIAL said.

(With inputs from agencies)