BENGALURU: With the number of Covid cases on the rise, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao clarified that the overall situation is not alarming, and precautionary measures are being intensified to ensure the state remains prepared.
“The current position does not require panic or restrictions. Officials and experts are monitoring continuously. Further decisions will be taken in consultation with the Centre,” he said.
The state government has already issued instructions to procure 5,000 RT-PCR testing kits, which will cover about a month’s testing. Now, 2,500 rapid antigen test kits (RAT), 1.3 lakh RNA extraction kits, 5,000 RT-PCR kits and two lakh viral transport medium (VTM) kits are available, he said, adding that these kits have also been dispatched to districts.
He said weekly technical advisory committee meetings have been mandated to closely monitor the situation. Asked about travel restrictions with cases rising in Kerala, he said no curbs are being considered within or between states at this stage.
“Such measures, if at all needed, will be decided by the Centre after inputs from the state,” he said.
The department will conduct a death audit of an 84-year-old man whose Covid test report returned positive on Saturday.
“He was also suffering from multiple health issues. He had heart problems, tuberculosis and was bedridden for a year. We will conduct an audit to determine if Covid was the primary cause of his death,” he added.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reviewed the situation and directed the health department to act swiftly on expert advice, Rao said.
“He told me to update him and ensure Karnataka does not fall behind on preventive measures,” he added.
Asked whether private testing rates would be fixed, he said it’s too early for that as the number of tests is low.
“We’ll evaluate the situation in three to four days and decide if it is needed,” he said.
On the JN1 variant, he said there have been no reports of severe outbreaks in India or other countries.
“There’s no global fear around this variant. No travel bans have been imposed, and the situation is not comparable to the first or second waves. Still, we are being cautious,” he said.
