COVID-19: Three new cases in Karnataka; total rises to 18

Amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, Karnataka is set to witness more trouble as three new confirmed cases were reported, taking the total number of infections to 18, the state government said on Saturday (March 21).

Earlier in the day, Health Minister B Sriramulu giving details about one positive case said, a 32-year-old person from Gauribidanur in Chikkaballapura district, who has a travel history from Mecca has been confirmed for COVID-19 infection.

Related news: Person who attended music concert in Bengaluru tests positive for COVID-19

Taking to Twitter, the minister said that the patient has been admitted in a designated isolated hospital for treatment. However, details regarding the other two patients are still awaited.

ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದು 3 ಜನರಲ್ಲಿ #Covid_19 ಸೋಂಕು ದೃಢಪಟ್ಟಿದ್ದು, ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆ ಸೋಂಕಿತರ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ 18ಕ್ಕೆ ಏರಿದೆ. ನಾಗರಿಕರು ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಮುಂಜಾಗೃತಾ ಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ತಪ್ಪದೇ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕೆಂದು ವಿನಂತಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.

— B Sriramulu (@sriramulubjp) March 21, 2020

In another tweet, Sriramulu also said the government as a precautionary measure is planning to install thermal test CC cameras at government offices and certain important places.

ನಮ್ಮ ಸರ್ಕಾರವು ಮುಂಜಾಗ್ರತಾ ಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ, ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಕಛೇರಿಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಸ್ಥಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಥರ್ಮಲ್ ಟೆಸ್ಟ್ ಸಿಸಿ ಕ್ಯಾಮೆರಾಗಳ ಅಳವಡಿಕೆಗೆ ಚಿಂತನೆ ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಿದೆ.

— B Sriramulu (@sriramulubjp) March 21, 2020

The mid-day situation update by the government also said a circular has been issued to Health and Family Welfare Department officials and staff at all levels to work even on Sundays and general holidays without fail till March 31 in view of COVID-19.

A total of 48 government hospitals and 35 private hospitals have been identified as first respondent hospitals for the case management of coronavirus cases, it said.

Related news: Karnataka reports two more coronavirus cases; shutdown till March 31

Mental health counselling is being done for positive COVID-19 cases and suspects in the identified hospitals and quarantined persons at home and hospital.

A total of 4,390 counselling sessions have been held till date, it added.

(With inputs from agencies)