Karnataka govt permits one-time interstate movement for people

Coronavirus

This comes a day after the Centre had announced that migrant workers will be permitted to return to their respective native places.

TNM Staff

Image for representation: PTI

The Karnataka government has announced that interstate travel will be permitted for migrant workers and students on a one-time basis. This comes a day after the Centre had announced that migrant workers will be permitted to return to their respective native places. However, details of when this will be allowed are not known yet.  The Karnataka state government in an order dated April 30 stated as much, and designated nodal officials to coordinate movement of stranded people outside the state to Karnataka and vice versa. “District administration, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), NWKRTC (North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation), North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NEKRTC) and all other concerned departments shall provide necessary support in smooth and orderly movement of persons, as per the SOPs devised, under the guidance of nodal officers,” the order stated.  Some of the guidelines for this one-time movement of persons include screening the moving persons and allowing those found asymptomatic to proceed. It has also been decided that buses will be used for transporting individuals – the vehicles will be sanitized and follow social distancing norms in seating. Local health authorities will assess the persons arriving in the state, and keep them in home quarantine, or institutional quarantine if needed. “They would be kept under watch with periodic checkups,” the order adds.  The announcement came following a cabinet meeting held on Thursday morning at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Officials added that the impending decision about extension of the lockdown post May 3 will be taken based on the guidelines issued by the Government of India.  “We have agreed in-principle with the honourable Prime Minister to allow interstate movement. For once, whoever is residing in Karnataka if they want to move to another state, they will be allowed to move and whoever wants to come back from another state will be allowed to come back also. While the exit can be free, entry will be after all the tests are done. We are allowing interstate movement for one time for students and labourers,” stated Karnataka Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislations Minister JC Madhuswamy. The minister also stated that inter-district movement will be permitted for labourers who want to shift from one district to another for work. Industries will be allowed to run with skeletal staff i.e. at 33% strength. Owners and managers of companies will be permitted to shift to the localities in which their factories are located.  In the meantime, malls, liquor shops and salons will remain shut until May 3. “Malls, theatres and liquor shops are not under our agenda. We will only be able to comment on these after May 3,” added the minister.  On Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order which allowed for interstate travel of stranded citizens. This included migrant workers, tourists and students. As per the order by the MHA, those who travel will be required to undergo a medical screening both at the origin as well as destination points. They will also be placed in either home or hospital quarantine after reaching

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10 new COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru as total infections in Karnataka rise to 565

Coronavirus

With the latest numbers, the total number of cases in Bengaluru West Zone has risen to 44.

Sanyukta Dharmadhikari

Bengaluru reported 10 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, while the state recorded a total of 30  coronavirus patients. This brings the total number of cases in the city to 141. This is the third highest daily spike for Karnataka in number of new patients testing positive for the disease since the onset of the pandemic.  As of date, the total number of cases in the state stands at 565, including 21 deaths and 229 recoveries. In terms of deaths, Bengaluru and Kalaburagi are the worst affected with five COVID-19 related casualties each. Bengaluru has reported 141 COVID-19 cases, with 61 recoveries and five COVID-19 related deaths. One more death that was reported in Bengaluru is due to non-COVID-19 reasons. Five among the ten new cases in Bengaluru were traced to patient 292, who is a resident of Padarayanapura ward in Bengaluru. Padarayanapura ward falls in Bengaluru West Zone..  The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has classified four wards in Bengaluru West as containment zones - Padrayanapura, Jagajeevanram Nagar, Chalavadipalya and KR Market. With the latest numbers, the total number of cases in the West Zone have risen to 44. The other patients from Bengaluru include a 63-year-old man with SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Illness) and a 64-year-old woman with Influenza like Illness (ILI) who have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  Belagavi saw 14 new cases, taking the total number of cases in the district to 67. Most of these cases were secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients and have been admitted to a hospital in Belagavi.  According to the Karnataka Health Department bulletin, 13 persons were discharged on Thursday, including seven patients from Mysuru, and three from Bengaluru.  

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14 arrested for violating lockdown and praying in a mosque in K'taka

coronavirus

The incident occurred in Kalaburagi which already has seen five deaths and a total of 52 cases.

Soumya Chatterjee

Image for representation

As many as 14 people were arrested in Kalaburagi district in Karnataka for offering prayer at a village mosque in violation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown norms, police said on Thursday. Police said they were looking for two more people who participated in the prayers. A total of 16 people gathered in T Bommanahalli village mosque within Sedam Police Station limits for the prayer and two of them managed to flee when police rushed there following information, the official added. Religious gatherings have been prohibited under the lockdown in force to check the spread of coronavirus. As of Thursday evening the district has had 52 patients test positive for COVID-19, the fourth highest in the state. In terms of fatalities, it's the worst affected with five deaths in relation to the pandemic. “They had come to the mosque and had gathered for prayers. This is in clear violation of the lockdown rules. We had given passes to four of them. Upon finding that there was a violation of rules, Sedam police station cops went to the mosque and arrested them. We registered a case and produced them before the magistrate. They secured bail after they were produced before the magistrate,” Lada Martin Marbaniang, Superintendent of Police (SP), Kalaburagi told TNM. “We are conducting meetings with all community leaders and all of them have agreed to abide by the rules as ordered by the government. Till now, all of them have cooperated. In this case, the people gathered in numbers more than the permitted limit, so we had to intervene,” he added. The accused have been booked under sections 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 270 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code. The SP confirmed that this area was not near any containment zones in the district. Read: Video: Scores take part in chariot procession in Kalaburagi, a coronavirus hotspot This incident comes after scores of people were seen attending a chariot festival in mid-April in clear defiance of the lockdown. In that incident, police had arrested five of the festival organisers. At that time the district had already 20 cases. The district was also the first in the country to report a COVID-19 related fatality.

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10 new COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru as total infections in Karnataka rise to 565

Coronavirus

With the latest numbers, the total number of cases in Bengaluru West Zone has risen to 44.

Sanyukta Dharmadhikari

Bengaluru reported 10 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, while the state recorded a total of 30  coronavirus patients. This brings the total number of cases in the city to 141. This is the third highest daily spike for Karnataka in number of new patients testing positive for the disease since the onset of the pandemic.  As of date, the total number of cases in the state stands at 565, including 21 deaths and 229 recoveries. In terms of deaths, Bengaluru and Kalaburagi are the worst affected with five COVID-19 related casualties each. Bengaluru has reported 141 COVID-19 cases, with 61 recoveries and five COVID-19 related deaths. One more death that was reported in Bengaluru is due to non-COVID-19 reasons. Five among the ten new cases in Bengaluru were traced to patient 292, who is a resident of Padarayanapura ward in Bengaluru. Padarayanapura ward falls in Bengaluru West Zone..  The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has classified four wards in Bengaluru West as containment zones - Padrayanapura, Jagajeevanram Nagar, Chalavadipalya and KR Market. With the latest numbers, the total number of cases in the West Zone have risen to 44. The other patients from Bengaluru include a 63-year-old man with SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Illness) and a 64-year-old woman with Influenza like Illness (ILI) who have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  Belagavi saw 14 new cases, taking the total number of cases in the district to 67. Most of these cases were secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients and have been admitted to a hospital in Belagavi.  According to the Karnataka Health Department bulletin, 13 persons were discharged on Thursday, including seven patients from Mysuru, and three from Bengaluru.  

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14 arrested for violating lockdown and praying in a mosque in K'taka

coronavirus

The incident occurred in Kalaburagi which already has seen five deaths and a total of 52 cases.

Soumya Chatterjee

Image for representation

As many as 14 people were arrested in Kalaburagi district in Karnataka for offering prayer at a village mosque in violation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown norms, police said on Thursday. Police said they were looking for two more people who participated in the prayers. A total of 16 people gathered in T Bommanahalli village mosque within Sedam Police Station limits for the prayer and two of them managed to flee when police rushed there following information, the official added. Religious gatherings have been prohibited under the lockdown in force to check the spread of coronavirus. As of Thursday evening the district has had 52 patients test positive for COVID-19, the fourth highest in the state. In terms of fatalities, it's the worst affected with five deaths in relation to the pandemic. “They had come to the mosque and had gathered for prayers. This is in clear violation of the lockdown rules. We had given passes to four of them. Upon finding that there was a violation of rules, Sedam police station cops went to the mosque and arrested them. We registered a case and produced them before the magistrate. They secured bail after they were produced before the magistrate,” Lada Martin Marbaniang, Superintendent of Police (SP), Kalaburagi told TNM. “We are conducting meetings with all community leaders and all of them have agreed to abide by the rules as ordered by the government. Till now, all of them have cooperated. In this case, the people gathered in numbers more than the permitted limit, so we had to intervene,” he added. The accused have been booked under sections 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 270 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code. The SP confirmed that this area was not near any containment zones in the district. Read: Video: Scores take part in chariot procession in Kalaburagi, a coronavirus hotspot This incident comes after scores of people were seen attending a chariot festival in mid-April in clear defiance of the lockdown. In that incident, police had arrested five of the festival organisers. At that time the district had already 20 cases. The district was also the first in the country to report a COVID-19 related fatality.

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Bengaluru police to start returning all seized vehicles from May 1

Coronavirus

The vehicles will be returned only when the owners produce original documents, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said.

Soumya Chatterjee

Authorities in Bengaluru have decided to start returning the vehicles that were seized for violating the lockdown. The second phase of the pan-India lockdown will end on May 3 as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the process to return the vehicles will begin from May 1. Taking to Twitter, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said that the police department is finalizing details on how the vehicles will be returned. He said that the decision has been vetted by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai.   It’s decided to return the Corona seized vehicles from 1/5/20 onwards. Those seized first will be returned first.The documents will be verified and vehicle returned. This has approval of Hon CM and HM. We are doing the paperwork to ease the process. — Bhaskar Rao IPS (@deepolice12) April 30, 2020   The process of return of vehicles to the rightful owners will start from Friday, the city police chief said. He further said the police department is working to ready the paperwork for the same. The vehicles will be returned only when the owners can produce original documents. He added that the vehicles will be returned in the order they were seized, so the cars and bikes that were seized at an earlier date will be returned before. A DCP in Bengaluru told TNM, "The vehicles will be released by jurisdictional police officers subject to a fine of Rs 1000 for cars and Rs 500 for two and three-wheelers. In addition, a bond will be executed as required under law The violators have to sign a bond stating they will not violate lockdown orders again." The development comes after a plea was filed in court seeking the gradual release of vehicles upon the furnishing of a bond so as to prevent crowding when lockdown ends. Earlier, it was reported that the violators whose vehicles were seized would be returned only following a court order. This was to be done as the vehicle owners would be booked by the police under the Disaster Management Act (2005) and Section 188 (disobeying prohibitory orders) of the Indian Penal Code as suggested by the union government. To one Twitter user suggesting the release of 50-75 vehicles at one go to prevent crowding, Bhaskar Rao acknowledged the idea and said it will be planned later in the day.   Till April 2, the city police had seized around 7,000 vehicles from persons who did not have valid curfew passes issued by the jurisdictional DCPs (Deputy Commissioner of Police). These included cars, bikes and even autorickshaws. The number of seized vehicles is currently reported to be around 35,000. 

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Bengaluru police to start returning all seized vehicles from May 1

Coronavirus

The vehicles will be returned only when the owners produce original documents, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said.

Soumya Chatterjee

Authorities in Bengaluru have decided to start returning the vehicles that were seized for violating the lockdown. The second phase of the pan-India lockdown will end on May 3 as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the process to return the vehicles will begin from May 1. Taking to Twitter, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said that the police department is finalizing details on how the vehicles will be returned. He said that the decision has been vetted by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai.   It’s decided to return the Corona seized vehicles from 1/5/20 onwards. Those seized first will be returned first.The documents will be verified and vehicle returned. This has approval of Hon CM and HM. We are doing the paperwork to ease the process. — Bhaskar Rao IPS (@deepolice12) April 30, 2020   The process of return of vehicles to the rightful owners will start from Friday, the city police chief said. He further said the police department is working to ready the paperwork for the same. The vehicles will be returned only when the owners can produce original documents. He added that the vehicles will be returned in the order they were seized, so the cars and bikes that were seized at an earlier date will be returned before. A DCP in Bengaluru told TNM, "The vehicles will be released by jurisdictional police officers subject to a fine of Rs 1000 for cars and Rs 500 for two and three-wheelers. In addition, a bond will be executed as required under law The violators have to sign a bond stating they will not violate lockdown orders again." The development comes after a plea was filed in court seeking the gradual release of vehicles upon the furnishing of a bond so as to prevent crowding when lockdown ends. Earlier, it was reported that the violators whose vehicles were seized would be returned only following a court order. This was to be done as the vehicle owners would be booked by the police under the Disaster Management Act (2005) and Section 188 (disobeying prohibitory orders) of the Indian Penal Code as suggested by the union government. To one Twitter user suggesting the release of 50-75 vehicles at one go to prevent crowding, Bhaskar Rao acknowledged the idea and said it will be planned later in the day.   Till April 2, the city police had seized around 7,000 vehicles from persons who did not have valid curfew passes issued by the jurisdictional DCPs (Deputy Commissioner of Police). These included cars, bikes and even autorickshaws. The number of seized vehicles is currently reported to be around 35,000. 

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Four Karnataka Ministers quarantined after coming in contact with COVID-19 patient

Coronavirus

However, Medical Education Minister Dr. Sudhakar flouted quarantine norms and held a meeting in Mandya on Wednesday.

TNM Staff

Medical Education Minister Dr Sudhakar in a meeting in Mandya

Four out of five Karnataka ministers, who reportedly came in contact with the COVID-19 positive video journalist of a Kannada news channel recently, on Wednesday said they have tested negative for the virus.  Deputy Chief Minister Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Kannada and Culture Minister C T Ravi and Medical Education Minister Dr. K Sudhakar tweeted that their test reports have come out negative and they are under home quarantine. This is because protocol states that those who come into contact with a COVID-19 positive person have to be in quarantine for 14 days.  However, Medical Education Minister Dr. Sudhakar held a meeting in Mandya on Wednesday flouting quarantine norms. ಮಂಡ್ಯ #COVID19 ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಚಿವ ನಾರಾಯಣಗೌಡರು, ಸಂಸದೆ @sumalathaA, ಶಾಸಕರುಗಳಾದ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸ, ರವೀಂದ್ರ ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠೇಗೌಡ, CS ಪುಟ್ಟರಾಜು, ಡಾ.ಅನ್ನದಾನಿ, ಅಪ್ಪಾಜಿಗೌಡ, KT ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠೇಗೌಡ, ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಹಿರಿಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು. ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸ್ವಸಹಾಯ ಗುಂಪುಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಸ್ಕ್ ತಯಾರಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವಂತೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದೇನೆ. pic.twitter.com/CLL6TUMiPc — Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) April 29, 2020 #ಮಂಡ್ಯ #MandyaToday#Covid19India meeting with Hon'ble Ministers @mla_sudhakar & #DrNarayanGowda along with Mandya legislators & Dist Officials . https://t.co/0CKzPzmVOO — Sumalatha Ambareesh ಸುಮಲತಾ ಅಂಬರೀಶ್ (@sumalathaA) April 29, 2020 Sudhakar said he went for the test after hearing that the journalist with whom he interacted had tested positive."However as abundant precaution, I have decided to be in home quarantine for the next seven days and carry out my duties from home," he tweeted. This is despite the protocol stating that people should be quarantined for 14 days. Reports allege that the other ministers too had flouted the mandated quarantine period and were going about with routine work. The other ministers who tested negative told the media that they will be quarantined at home. "After being informed that I might have come in contact with a COVID-19 affected person, I have been in home quarantine. I have tested negative, but will continue to be vigilant and take all necessary precautions," Ashwath Narayan said in a tweet. State Home Minister Bommai said that he has taken a swab test and it has come out negative. "I am under self quarantine and I am healthy." Culture Minister CT Ravi said, "Even though I had no close interaction with him (camera man) during my meetings, I got myself tested on 28th April.I am happy to share with You that I have tested negative for #CoronaVirus." Another minister who came in contact with the video journalist has not responded so far.  Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar had questioned the government about ministers reportedly in contact with the video journalist not being quarantined, and termed it as "protocol violation". "A Kannada News channel's cameraman is COVID +ve.His primary contacts include CM, DCM & Ministers. Why aren't they in quarantine? Isn't it double standards by those who must set an example to citizens? This is a protocol violation. This Govt is not serious about fighting COVID," Shivakumar tweeted. The journalist, who had visited containment zones demarcated by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (city civic body), was confirmed positive on April 24. As per the 34-year-old patient's (video journalist's) flowchart, he had met five ministers on work, between April 21 and April 24. Though he had also visited Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's home office "Krishna" multiple times during this period, according to officials, he had not met the CM. Read: Five Karnataka Ministers are primary contacts of video journalist who got COVID-19 On April 23, he had given his swab samples along with other journalists for testing, and was confirmed positive the next day. At least 40 other contacts of the video journalist, including his family and journalists from various media outlets, have been quarantined, officials said.

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Karnataka’s COVID-19 death toll goes up to 21 as 73-year-old patient succumbs

Coronavirus

The elderly man from Tumakuru had a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and suffered from diabetes and asthma.

TNM Staff

PTI : Image for representation

A 73-year-old COVID-19 patient has died in Tumakuru, taking the death toll in the state due to the infection to 21, the Karnataka government said on Wednesday. The elderly man had a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), Minister S Suresh Kumar, who is spokesperson for COVID-19 in Karnataka, told reporters in the daily press briefing. A bulletin released by the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department stated that he also suffered from diabetes and asthma. He was admitted to the designated COVID-19 hospital in Tumakuru and died on Wednesday. A total of 12 new cases were confirmed in the state on Wednesday, including the deceased patient from Tumakuru. Among the 12 new cases, including the dead, who have reported positive, five are children (below the age of 18). This includes four girls in the age group of 4-17 years, while one is a 12 year-old-boy. Eight out of the total twelve cases are from Kalaburagi, and one each are from Hukkeri in Belagavi district, Davangere, Tumakuru and Nanjanaguru (Mysuru). From across the state, most number of infections have been reported in Bengaluru urban with 131 cases, followed by Mysuru 88 and Belagavi 53. A total of 216 patients have made a complete recovery after being infected with the coronavirus. This accounts for nearly 40% of the total cases in the state. Out of a total of 216 patients discharged so far, the maximum of 58 is from Bengaluru, 56 from Mysuru, and 11 from Chikkaballapura. Cumulatively, 535 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 21 deaths and 216 discharges. Earlier, a 65-year-old patient from Sira in Tumakuru had died after testing positive. It has been over six weeks since the first coronavirus case was reported in Karnataka on March 8. The state had also reported the first COVID-19 death in the country when a man from Kalaburagi passed away on March 10.  There are 123 containment zones in Karnataka, Suresh Kumar confirmed. They house 4.12 lakh people and nearly 6000 shops and establishments. They also have 73,917 homes while more than 36 lakh people are currently residing in buffer zones in the state.  Meanwhile, The Karnataka government on Wednesday decided to conduct COVID-19 testing for frontline government employees besides bracing for the return of those from the state stranded abroad. The government is also making arrangements to bring back those from the state, including migrant workers stranded in Gujarat by buses. A plan of action is also getting ready on the procedures to be followed when the Centre brings back Indians, including 10,823 from the state, stranded abroad. "Already media persons and frontline police personnel are undergoing COVID-19 tests, today's new circular is for frontline government employees," Suresh Kumar told reporters. Stating that officers and staff of other departments, who have been working hand-in-hand with the health department might be at a risk of exposure to coronavirus infection, he said it has been decided to go for one time linear screening of all those frontline officers and workers of Benagaluru city to begin with. In Bengaluru, the tests will be conducted at the KCG Hospital. With PTI inputs

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Aero India to stay in Bengaluru in 2021

Aero India

The decision ends speculation that the airshow would be shifted out of Bengaluru to Lucknow.

Prajwal Bhat

AERO INDIA 2009, WIKIPEDIA COMMONS - VISHAK PILLAI

Aero India, the biennial air show and  aviation exhibition will be held in Bengaluru in 2021 from February 3 to 7 at the Yelahanka Airforce Station in the city. This was confirmed on the official Aero India website by the Defence Exhibition Organisation (DEO) which is attached to the Ministry of Defence. The decision ends speculation that the airshow would be shifted out of Bengaluru to Lucknow. However, the proposal to hold the event in Lucknow was shelved due to the lack of infrastructure to host an event of this size and scale. Instead, Lucknow was picked as the venue for DefExpo held earlier this year.  Bengaluru has hosted the  Defence Ministry's biennial Aero India event since its debut in 1996. The event in 2021 will be the thirteenth edition of India's flagship aviation event.  The Ministry of Defence and the air show organisers are yet to reveal more details about the event in 2021.  In March, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa wrote to the Centre asking for the event to be held in Bengaluru next year. The Chief Minister handed over a letter to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.  The last edition of Aero India in 2019 had witnessed tragedy. Two Hawk jets of the IAF aerobatics team crashed into each other resulting in the death of a pilot and injuries to two more in 2019. In addition, a major fire gutted hundreds of cars in the parking lot of the event.  The event is a showcase of the Indian Air Force's latest jets and fighter planes. It is also an opportunity for the international aviation industry to display their innovations and models to the Indian government. Preparations for the grand event typically begin a year in advance. However, when the event was held in 2019, it was confirmed only in September 2018, around five months before the event was held in February 2019.   

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Four Karnataka Ministers quarantined after coming in contact with COVID-19 patient

Coronavirus

However, Medical Education Minister Dr. Sudhakar flouted quarantine norms and held a meeting in Mandya on Wednesday.

TNM Staff

Medical Education Minister Dr Sudhakar in a meeting in Mandya

Four out of five Karnataka ministers, who reportedly came in contact with the COVID-19 positive video journalist of a Kannada news channel recently, on Wednesday said they have tested negative for the virus.  Deputy Chief Minister Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Kannada and Culture Minister C T Ravi and Medical Education Minister Dr. K Sudhakar tweeted that their test reports have come out negative and they are under home quarantine. This is because protocol states that those who come into contact with a COVID-19 positive person have to be in quarantine for 14 days.  However, Medical Education Minister Dr. Sudhakar held a meeting in Mandya on Wednesday flouting quarantine norms. ಮಂಡ್ಯ #COVID19 ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಚಿವ ನಾರಾಯಣಗೌಡರು, ಸಂಸದೆ @sumalathaA, ಶಾಸಕರುಗಳಾದ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸ, ರವೀಂದ್ರ ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠೇಗೌಡ, CS ಪುಟ್ಟರಾಜು, ಡಾ.ಅನ್ನದಾನಿ, ಅಪ್ಪಾಜಿಗೌಡ, KT ಶ್ರೀಕಂಠೇಗೌಡ, ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಹಿರಿಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು. ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸ್ವಸಹಾಯ ಗುಂಪುಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಸ್ಕ್ ತಯಾರಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತೊಡಗಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವಂತೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದೇನೆ. pic.twitter.com/CLL6TUMiPc — Dr Sudhakar K (@mla_sudhakar) April 29, 2020 #ಮಂಡ್ಯ #MandyaToday#Covid19India meeting with Hon'ble Ministers @mla_sudhakar & #DrNarayanGowda along with Mandya legislators & Dist Officials . https://t.co/0CKzPzmVOO — Sumalatha Ambareesh ಸುಮಲತಾ ಅಂಬರೀಶ್ (@sumalathaA) April 29, 2020 Sudhakar said he went for the test after hearing that the journalist with whom he interacted had tested positive."However as abundant precaution, I have decided to be in home quarantine for the next seven days and carry out my duties from home," he tweeted. This is despite the protocol stating that people should be quarantined for 14 days. Reports allege that the other ministers too had flouted the mandated quarantine period and were going about with routine work. The other ministers who tested negative told the media that they will be quarantined at home. "After being informed that I might have come in contact with a COVID-19 affected person, I have been in home quarantine. I have tested negative, but will continue to be vigilant and take all necessary precautions," Ashwath Narayan said in a tweet. State Home Minister Bommai said that he has taken a swab test and it has come out negative. "I am under self quarantine and I am healthy." Culture Minister CT Ravi said, "Even though I had no close interaction with him (camera man) during my meetings, I got myself tested on 28th April.I am happy to share with You that I have tested negative for #CoronaVirus." Another minister who came in contact with the video journalist has not responded so far.  Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar had questioned the government about ministers reportedly in contact with the video journalist not being quarantined, and termed it as "protocol violation". "A Kannada News channel's cameraman is COVID +ve.His primary contacts include CM, DCM & Ministers. Why aren't they in quarantine? Isn't it double standards by those who must set an example to citizens? This is a protocol violation. This Govt is not serious about fighting COVID," Shivakumar tweeted. The journalist, who had visited containment zones demarcated by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (city civic body), was confirmed positive on April 24. As per the 34-year-old patient's (video journalist's) flowchart, he had met five ministers on work, between April 21 and April 24. Though he had also visited Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's home office "Krishna" multiple times during this period, according to officials, he had not met the CM. Read: Five Karnataka Ministers are primary contacts of video journalist who got COVID-19 On April 23, he had given his swab samples along with other journalists for testing, and was confirmed positive the next day. At least 40 other contacts of the video journalist, including his family and journalists from various media outlets, have been quarantined, officials said.

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Karnataka’s COVID-19 death toll goes up to 21 as 73-year-old patient succumbs

Coronavirus

The elderly man from Tumakuru had a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) and suffered from diabetes and asthma.

TNM Staff

PTI : Image for representation

A 73-year-old COVID-19 patient has died in Tumakuru, taking the death toll in the state due to the infection to 21, the Karnataka government said on Wednesday. The elderly man had a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), Minister S Suresh Kumar, who is spokesperson for COVID-19 in Karnataka, told reporters in the daily press briefing. A bulletin released by the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department stated that he also suffered from diabetes and asthma. He was admitted to the designated COVID-19 hospital in Tumakuru and died on Wednesday. A total of 12 new cases were confirmed in the state on Wednesday, including the deceased patient from Tumakuru. Among the 12 new cases, including the dead, who have reported positive, five are children (below the age of 18). This includes four girls in the age group of 4-17 years, while one is a 12 year-old-boy. Eight out of the total twelve cases are from Kalaburagi, and one each are from Hukkeri in Belagavi district, Davangere, Tumakuru and Nanjanaguru (Mysuru). From across the state, most number of infections have been reported in Bengaluru urban with 131 cases, followed by Mysuru 88 and Belagavi 53. A total of 216 patients have made a complete recovery after being infected with the coronavirus. This accounts for nearly 40% of the total cases in the state. Out of a total of 216 patients discharged so far, the maximum of 58 is from Bengaluru, 56 from Mysuru, and 11 from Chikkaballapura. Cumulatively, 535 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 21 deaths and 216 discharges. Earlier, a 65-year-old patient from Sira in Tumakuru had died after testing positive. It has been over six weeks since the first coronavirus case was reported in Karnataka on March 8. The state had also reported the first COVID-19 death in the country when a man from Kalaburagi passed away on March 10.  There are 123 containment zones in Karnataka, Suresh Kumar confirmed. They house 4.12 lakh people and nearly 6000 shops and establishments. They also have 73,917 homes while more than 36 lakh people are currently residing in buffer zones in the state.  Meanwhile, The Karnataka government on Wednesday decided to conduct COVID-19 testing for frontline government employees besides bracing for the return of those from the state stranded abroad. The government is also making arrangements to bring back those from the state, including migrant workers stranded in Gujarat by buses. A plan of action is also getting ready on the procedures to be followed when the Centre brings back Indians, including 10,823 from the state, stranded abroad. "Already media persons and frontline police personnel are undergoing COVID-19 tests, today's new circular is for frontline government employees," Suresh Kumar told reporters. Stating that officers and staff of other departments, who have been working hand-in-hand with the health department might be at a risk of exposure to coronavirus infection, he said it has been decided to go for one time linear screening of all those frontline officers and workers of Benagaluru city to begin with. In Bengaluru, the tests will be conducted at the KCG Hospital. With PTI inputs

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Aero India to stay in Bengaluru in 2021

Aero India

The decision ends speculation that the airshow would be shifted out of Bengaluru to Lucknow.

Prajwal Bhat

AERO INDIA 2009, WIKIPEDIA COMMONS - VISHAK PILLAI

Aero India, the biennial air show and  aviation exhibition will be held in Bengaluru in 2021 from February 3 to 7 at the Yelahanka Airforce Station in the city. This was confirmed on the official Aero India website by the Defence Exhibition Organisation (DEO) which is attached to the Ministry of Defence. The decision ends speculation that the airshow would be shifted out of Bengaluru to Lucknow. However, the proposal to hold the event in Lucknow was shelved due to the lack of infrastructure to host an event of this size and scale. Instead, Lucknow was picked as the venue for DefExpo held earlier this year.  Bengaluru has hosted the  Defence Ministry's biennial Aero India event since its debut in 1996. The event in 2021 will be the thirteenth edition of India's flagship aviation event.  The Ministry of Defence and the air show organisers are yet to reveal more details about the event in 2021.  In March, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa wrote to the Centre asking for the event to be held in Bengaluru next year. The Chief Minister handed over a letter to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.  The last edition of Aero India in 2019 had witnessed tragedy. Two Hawk jets of the IAF aerobatics team crashed into each other resulting in the death of a pilot and injuries to two more in 2019. In addition, a major fire gutted hundreds of cars in the parking lot of the event.  The event is a showcase of the Indian Air Force's latest jets and fighter planes. It is also an opportunity for the international aviation industry to display their innovations and models to the Indian government. Preparations for the grand event typically begin a year in advance. However, when the event was held in 2019, it was confirmed only in September 2018, around five months before the event was held in February 2019.   

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Twitter trend calls for resignation of Karnataka Home Min over alleged assault of CRPF jawan

Controversy

While state police chief has called for an enquiry, Belgavi SP had earlier denied any wrongdoing by local police.

Soumya Chatterjee

Almost a week since the controversy surrounding the arrest and alleged assault of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan by police personnel in Karnataka’s Belagavi district, many have called for the resignation of state Home Minister Basavraj Bommai.  The Twitter trend #ResignHMBommai was started by supporters of the BJP even though the state government is ruled by the BJP itself led by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. Some of them also called for the suspension of Belagavi Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi. Among those who demanded the resignation of Basavaraj Bommai included columnist and Yuva Brigade founder Chakravarthy Sulibele who is a 'known admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi'. Reacting to a media report speculating that the state government will withdraw the case, Sulibel tweeted, “Sorry CM of Karnataka after this kind of brutal assault withdrawing the case is definitely not enough. Take resignation of HM or suspend SP, Belagavi. #ResignHMBommai or act now.” He also posted a photo of the hip of the CRPF personnel showing injury marks allegedly as a result of the police assault. Sorry @CMofKarnataka after this kind of brutal assault withdrawing the case is definitely not enough. Take resignation of HM or suspend SP, Belagavi.#ResignHMBommai or act now.. pic.twitter.com/NbmS5JFuDL — Chakravarty Sulibele (@astitvam) April 29, 2020 A cobra commando is beaten up by Belagavi police like this, is this the way to treat Soldiers? Karnataka HM must resign..!!#ResignHMBommai@publictvnews @republic @tv9kannada @powertvnews pic.twitter.com/M6roVcZBBO — Abhilash Somenahalli (@abhilashsg7) April 29, 2020 Background The constable attached with Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (Cobra) unit of the CRPF was arrested on April 23 for allegedly defying COVID-19 lockdown norms. He was released on bail on Tuesday. The incident of him being handcuffed and being tied to the grill of a window had been circulated widely prompting the chief of the CRPF to write to the Karnataka police. A clip where some police constables are purportedly seen hitting the jawan with sticks had also gone viral in the meantime. Following this, Praveen Sood, the head of the police department in Karnataka had ordered an inquiry into the incident to be carried out by IGP (inspector General of Police) Belagavi range. State police version Despite the controversy, speaking to reporters on Monday, SP Laxman Nimbargi denied any wrongdoing by the district police and said that only a partial clip was doing the rounds suggesting a wrong version of the events. He said the CRPF constable was attacked only after he had overpowered the two state police constables.  

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Karnataka to enhance its capacity, to test over 5,000 samples daily

Coronavirus

Primary and secondary contacts will be tested on a priority basis and testing will gradually be expanded to people in high-risk categories (those with flu and respiratory illness).

Soumya Chatterjee

Representational image/Pixcy

With the second phase of nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) nearing an end, Karnataka is looking to increase its daily testing count to over 5,000 samples per day.  Officials of the Karnataka Health Department suggested that they are looking at all means to increase the testing rate. Karnataka has already been testing more than five times the number of tests that it has been since last week. While on April 13, the state did 766 tests, 15 days later, on April 28, the state carried out a total of 4,827 tests, which has been the highest for a single day so far.  Cumulatively, by Wednesday, the state had crossed the mark of 50,000 (50,512) testing and is second highest only to Andhra Pradesh among the south Indian states. Andhra Pradesh has done 80,334 tests till date while Maharashtra, which has the highest number of cases in the country, did 1,29,931.  Speaking to TNM, Dr CN Manjunath, the nodal officer for testing for COVID-19 in Karnataka, said, “Since Tuesday, we have been inching towards 5,000 tests per day. Slowly, we will increase this further. Right now, there are enough RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test kits to last for 10 days to carry on testing at the same rate. There is a crisis everywhere globally and within the country but there is no reason to worry as we have been procuring them at least five days in advance." Dr Manjunath said that for the testing purpose, the primary and secondary contacts are the priority, and the government has been gradually expanding testing to people in high-risk categories (people with flu and respiratory illness). “So the scope of testing is increasing already on this basis. We have also started doing random testing in the state, starting with Bengaluru in two containment zones. We want to do random testing of 50-100 people in each hotspot,” he added.   Dr Manjunath further stated that the state will use Tuberculosis (TB) testing machines for COVID-19 to ramp up the testing capacity. Similar methods have also been discussed in neighbouring Kerala and other states. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had approved the use of these diagnostic machines for coronavirus tests.  “We have started testing through this CBNAAT (cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification tests) method in Gadag district and with these machines, we can do around 30-40 tests per day. We will soon start this in Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts in three to four days,” he told TNM.  The CBNAAT testing is for screening purpose, while only RT-PCR is the only established diagnostic test. ‘Rapid antibody testing may resume’ The Karnataka government, like other state governments in the country, is doing away with rapid antibody testing following the ICMR directive. Read: ICMR tells states to stop using rapid antibody testing kits from 2 Chinese companies According to Dr Manjunath, even before the central government directive, Karnataka had decided not to carry on with the rapid antibody testing as they had very low accuracy during the validation exercise carried out by the department in NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences).  “For the time being, all rapid antibody-based testing is put on hold. We are hearing some rapid testing kits made by South Korean and Netherlands-based manufacturers are giving good results. So we have asked some 5,000 sample strips from these companies for the purpose of validation. Although no antibody test kits will give 100% accuracy, if we can have better results, maybe around 75% efficacy, then we can take a call later,” he told TNM. 

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Five Karnataka Ministers are primary contacts of video journalist who got COVID-19

Coronavirus

Three of these ministers also attended meetings with the CM on Wednesday.

Theja Ram

After the cameraperson of a private Kannada news channel tested positive for the novel coronavirus, five Karnataka Ministers, who were primary contacts of the journalist, have been asked to quarantined themselves, according to TOI. As per protocol, the ministers are not supposed to attend events, but they have all have flouted quarantine norms. The video journalist, otherwise known as Patient 475, met five ministers including two Deputy Chief Ministers — Govind Karjol and Dr CN Ashwath Narayan — as well as Minister for Housing V Somanna, Minister for Tourism, Kannada and Culture CT Ravi, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai.  Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai had also interacted with the media on April 26, two days after the cameraperson tested positive.  According to the Karnataka Health Department, the journalist traveled from his house to Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's official residence, Krishna, on April 20. He again visited Krishna at around 12.15 pm on April 21 and took bytes of one of the Deputy Chief Ministers and also Tourism Minister CT Ravi. On April 21, the cameraperson shot a video byte with Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, while he was in his car. At 3.30 pm on the same day, he traveled to Ramanagara along with his colleague and driver.  On April 22, at around 9 am, he shot an interview with Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar in RT Nagar. On the same day, at around 1.30 pm, he shot an interview with Housing Minister V Somanna. However, Health Department officials said that precautionary measures were taken when the interview took place with V Somanna.  "The journalists and the minister were wearing masks and gloves," the official said. At 2 pm, he shot a byte of one of the Deputy Chief Ministers. Soon after, he shot visuals of a programme organised by Member of Legislative Council YA Narayana Swamy. On April 23, he gave his swab sample at the CV Raman General Hospital in Indiranagar. He was tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 on April 24.  Fortunately, the cameraperson's wife and two-and-half-year-old son have tested negative. Sources with the CMO told TNM that he did not come directly into contact with Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. However, at a time when primary and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients are being quarantined until their test results come out, these ministers have been advised home quarantine. BJP sources claim that Ministers CT Ravi, Basavaraj Bommai and Dr K Sudhakar tested negative, however this has not been officially confirmed by the government. Three of the ministers even attended a meeting with the Chief Minister on Wednesday. These ministers, BJP sources say, had also attended meetings with CM Yediyurappa between April 25 and April 29.  "The journalist came into contact with many other ministers. At this point all ministers have been given an option of getting tested if they want to," a member of Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar's team said.   (With inputs from Prajwal Bhat)

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Massive fire reported in HAL premises in Bengaluru, no casualties

Accident

The smoke billowing out of the premises was spotted from areas located more than five kilometres away as well.

Soumya Chatterjee

A massive fire was reported in one of Bengaluru’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities in the eastern part of the city, triggering panic among people living around the area on Wednesday. The smoke emanating from the facility was visible from far-off areas like Bellandur and Marathalli as well. Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire, which broke out at around 9 am on Wednesday. Officials at the Fire Control Room said that five fire engines were rushed at the spot and later more officials were sent. While the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, the HAL confirmed that the fire had broken out in one of its sheds in the  Forge and Foundry division. In a statement, the Chief of Media Communications, Gopal Sutar, said, “A fire broke out today at around 9 a.m at the scrapyard of HAL's F&F Division at Old Airport Road, Bengaluru. The scrap included magnesium metal. The fire has now been contained by dry chemical fire extinguishers. There is no damage to any property and no casualty reported due to the fire. An investigation is on.”  Sources further said that the scrap also had aluminium and steel, and since water could not be used to douse the fire, the only way to manage the fire was to let the metal burn out in a controlled manner. The HAL officials on the spot had put some Ternary Eutectic Chloride (a chemical used for containing metal fire) and mud to ensure that the fire does not spread. Meanwhile, Jurisdictional Whitefield division police were also alerted. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anuchet said, “There has been an incident of chemical fire inside the premises of the HAL - Forge and Foundry division. Magnesium scrap stockpile had caught fire. The entire area has been cordoned off and fire has been isolated. No casualties are reported,” he said. 

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Pvt hospitals in Karnataka turn away SARI cases, strain govt and other facilities

Coronavirus

Individuals with severe acute respiratory infection are increasingly being monitored as some of them have been positive for COVID-19.

Dr Nimeshika Jayachandran

Prajwal Bhat

PTI : Image for representation

Since February 10, when a man with a history of travel to Wuhan in China walked into St. John’s Hospital in Bengaluru, a screening clinic has been in place to help contain the spread of coronavirus cases.  Officials in the hospital have been logging the details of every possible coronavirus patient and almost two months later, have found that there is an increase in the number of individuals admitted with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI). “We are observing 6-12 SARI patients everyday who are in need of intensive care. This number has increased since the outbreak of coronavirus cases,” says Dr. Sanjiv Lewin, Chief of Medical Services, St John's Medical College. The hospital attached to St. John’s Medical College has observed 225 SARI cases since March 22, three days before the lockdown period in India was imposed.  Similarly, in Mysuru’s century old KR Hospital, 201 patients with SARI have been admitted since the lockdown over the coronavirus outbreak began at the end of March. “Everyday we admit 10 to 15 new (SARI) cases compared to 3 to 5 cases that were seen in a day prior to the lockdown,” says Dr Nanjundaswamy from KR Hospital in Mysuru, which is attached to the Mysore Medical College, a government-run college. Among the surge of SARI cases in these two hospitals, only six patients turned out to be positive for COVID-19 - 4 patients in Bengaluru’s St. John’s Hospital and 2 patients in Mysuru’s KR Hospital.  Reason for increase in SARI cases Officials in the two hospitals say that the surge in cases are linked to the refusal of private hospitals to take in SARI patients. “People are worried when they develop respiratory symptoms and think that it might be coronavirus. When they approach private hospitals, they are referred to us because private hospitals are refusing to admit SARI and related cases due to the coronavirus scare,” says Dr Nanjundaswamy. Officials in St. John’s Medical College echoed the reasons stated by doctors in Mysuru and linked the increase in SARI cases to the refusal of private hospitals to take in SARI cases. “The patients are reaching us with inadequate warning given by the hospitals which are referring them. The rise in SARI cases is not necessarily an indication that infections have increased but it is more indicative of the referrals from other hospitals,” says Dr. Sanjiv of St. John’s Medical College.  “The government-run hospitals have been turned into hospitals to fight COVID-19 cases so this has left people from low-income groups vulnerable and they are running from pillar to post desperately looking for hospitals to admit patients in,” Dr Sanjiv says. TNM spoke to doctors in Udupi and Ballari districts of Karnataka who also reported a similar issue of private hospitals turning away SARI patients.  Medical resources under strain  Another issue facing hospital administrators is that the rise in SARI cases has strained their available resources. “All SARI patients are kept isolated and cannot be kept in a ward with other patients. In the ward with SARI patients, there is a patient in every three beds,” says Dr. Nanjundaswamy of KR Hospital.  At St. John’s Medical College, COVID-19 suspects are treated in a separate block which has 60 beds available, including 15 ICU beds. Of these 15, 14 beds are currently occupied, an evidence of the burden of cases the hospital is grappling with.    This has also affected the hospitals’ capabilities to deal with non-COVID-19 patients including emergency cases like burns and accidents. “Our resources are concentrated on tackling SARI cases. There were 2-3 patients who required ventilator support last week. We currently have five ventilators and we are using them,” Dr. Nanjundaswamy says.  SARI and its importance in the ongoing pandemic Post the SARS epidemic of 2002, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had constituted a set of basic screening measures in the event that another similar pandemic occurred. SARI, or severe acute respiratory infection, was included on this list. Since then health experts around the world have stressed the importance of monitoring individuals who develop SARI, in light of the current outbreak of COVID-19.  SARI presents with breathlessness, hypoxia or low oxygen, fast breathing, which is typically preceded by fever and cough usually for a short duration of 7-10  days “There are a particular set of symptoms associated with SARI which can all be caused by a number of infections. The novel coronavirus can cause someone to develop cough, cold and fever, and severely impact the respiratory system,” explains Dr Asima Banu, nodal officer of the emergency department at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. She explains that individuals who develop SARI may not necessarily be positive for COVID-19, however, those who have contracted the virus will exhibit the symptoms of SARI.  “This is why it is important to keep an eye out for SARI, because it can be caused by the coronavirus,” she adds.     

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Bengaluru wakes up to overnight rains, waterlogging reported in parts of city

Weather

According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), the city received an average of 45 mm rainfall since midnight on Tuesday.

TNM Staff

Heavy rains coupled with winds lashed Bengaluru on Wednesday morning leading to water-logging in low-lying areas in parts of the city.  According to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), the city received an average of 45 mm rainfall since midnight on Tuesday. 10 places in the city received more than 75 mm of rainfall with the highest rainfall recorded in Hegganahalli in the Dasarahalli zone which received 88.5 mm rainfall. Peenya Industrial Area and Shettihalli, also in the Dasarahalli zone received 83 and 82 mm rainfall respectively while Koramangala received 81. 5mm rainfall. Domlur received 79.5 mm rainfall in the city's east zone.  A road in Pattegarapalya near Vijayanagar in the city caved in due to heavy rains. Heavy water-logging was reported in Koramangala, Dasarahalli, Domlur, HSR Layout, BTM Layout and HAL areas of the city by personnel from the Civil Defence Quick Response Team which is checking the damage caused by the rains and clearing trees.  Heavy rains were also reported in Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Chamarajanagara and Mysuru districts in southern Karnataka. The highest rainfall reported was in Anekal which received 110 mm rainfall.  Early morning rain in Bengaluru has brought monsoon feeling. pic.twitter.com/PpcX49bznu — Gopinath (@KSGopinath6) April 29, 2020 Early morning rain in Bengaluru has brought misery to some citizens in the city. pic.twitter.com/EZH24lg3Eo — Harish Upadhya (@harishupadhya) April 29, 2020 #BangaloreRains wen Bengaluru rains it becomes alarm to wake up seee the beauty and capture That's the UB city hidden in rain and fog pic.twitter.com/TwcIZ9tqRk — Bhagya (@bhoomisoni17) April 29, 2020 "The rainfall in southern India is mainly due to two factors - a wind discontinuity trough over north Tamil Nadu and cyclonic circulation over the east central Arabian Sea which has caused severe thunderstorm activity," Sunil Gavaskar, a meteorologist with KSNDMC told TNM.  Officials in the disaster body said that light to moderate showers are expected in Bengaluru on Wednesday as well.  

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Twitter trend calls for resignation of Karnataka Home Min over alleged assault of CRPF jawan

Controversy

While state police chief has called for an enquiry, Belgavi SP had earlier denied any wrongdoing by local police.

Soumya Chatterjee

Almost a week since the controversy surrounding the arrest and alleged assault of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan by police personnel in Karnataka’s Belagavi district, many have called for the resignation of state Home Minister Basavraj Bommai.  The Twitter trend #ResignHMBommai was started by supporters of the BJP even though the state government is ruled by the BJP itself led by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. Some of them also called for the suspension of Belagavi Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi. Among those who demanded the resignation of Basavaraj Bommai included columnist and Yuva Brigade founder Chakravarthy Sulibele who is a 'known admirer of Prime Minister Narendra Modi'. Reacting to a media report speculating that the state government will withdraw the case, Sulibel tweeted, “Sorry CM of Karnataka after this kind of brutal assault withdrawing the case is definitely not enough. Take resignation of HM or suspend SP, Belagavi. #ResignHMBommai or act now.” He also posted a photo of the hip of the CRPF personnel showing injury marks allegedly as a result of the police assault. Sorry @CMofKarnataka after this kind of brutal assault withdrawing the case is definitely not enough. Take resignation of HM or suspend SP, Belagavi.#ResignHMBommai or act now.. pic.twitter.com/NbmS5JFuDL — Chakravarty Sulibele (@astitvam) April 29, 2020 Background The constable attached with Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (Cobra) unit of the CRPF was arrested on April 23 for allegedly defying COVID-19 lockdown norms. He was released on bail on Tuesday. The incident of him being handcuffed and being tied to the grill of a window had been circulated widely prompting the chief of the CRPF to write to the Karnataka police. A clip where some police constables are purportedly seen hitting the jawan with sticks had also gone viral in the meantime. Following this, Praveen Sood, the head of the police department in Karnataka had ordered an inquiry into the incident to be carried out by IGP (inspector General of Police) Belagavi range. State police version Despite the controversy, speaking to reporters on Monday, SP Laxman Nimbargi denied any wrongdoing by the district police and said that only a partial clip was doing the rounds suggesting a wrong version of the events. He said the CRPF constable was attacked only after he had overpowered the two state police constables.  

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Karnataka to enhance its capacity, to test over 5,000 samples daily

Coronavirus

Primary and secondary contacts will be tested on a priority basis and testing will gradually be expanded to people in high-risk categories (those with flu and respiratory illness).

Soumya Chatterjee

Representational image/Pixcy

With the second phase of nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) nearing an end, Karnataka is looking to increase its daily testing count to over 5,000 samples per day.  Officials of the Karnataka Health Department suggested that they are looking at all means to increase the testing rate. Karnataka has already been testing more than five times the number of tests that it has been since last week. While on April 13, the state did 766 tests, 15 days later, on April 28, the state carried out a total of 4,827 tests, which has been the highest for a single day so far.  Cumulatively, by Wednesday, the state had crossed the mark of 50,000 (50,512) testing and is second highest only to Andhra Pradesh among the south Indian states. Andhra Pradesh has done 80,334 tests till date while Maharashtra, which has the highest number of cases in the country, did 1,29,931.  Speaking to TNM, Dr CN Manjunath, the nodal officer for testing for COVID-19 in Karnataka, said, “Since Tuesday, we have been inching towards 5,000 tests per day. Slowly, we will increase this further. Right now, there are enough RT-PCR (Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test kits to last for 10 days to carry on testing at the same rate. There is a crisis everywhere globally and within the country but there is no reason to worry as we have been procuring them at least five days in advance." Dr Manjunath said that for the testing purpose, the primary and secondary contacts are the priority, and the government has been gradually expanding testing to people in high-risk categories (people with flu and respiratory illness). “So the scope of testing is increasing already on this basis. We have also started doing random testing in the state, starting with Bengaluru in two containment zones. We want to do random testing of 50-100 people in each hotspot,” he added.   Dr Manjunath further stated that the state will use Tuberculosis (TB) testing machines for COVID-19 to ramp up the testing capacity. Similar methods have also been discussed in neighbouring Kerala and other states. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had approved the use of these diagnostic machines for coronavirus tests.  “We have started testing through this CBNAAT (cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification tests) method in Gadag district and with these machines, we can do around 30-40 tests per day. We will soon start this in Vijayapura and Bagalkot districts in three to four days,” he told TNM.  The CBNAAT testing is for screening purpose, while only RT-PCR is the only established diagnostic test. ‘Rapid antibody testing may resume’ The Karnataka government, like other state governments in the country, is doing away with rapid antibody testing following the ICMR directive. Read: ICMR tells states to stop using rapid antibody testing kits from 2 Chinese companies According to Dr Manjunath, even before the central government directive, Karnataka had decided not to carry on with the rapid antibody testing as they had very low accuracy during the validation exercise carried out by the department in NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences).  “For the time being, all rapid antibody-based testing is put on hold. We are hearing some rapid testing kits made by South Korean and Netherlands-based manufacturers are giving good results. So we have asked some 5,000 sample strips from these companies for the purpose of validation. Although no antibody test kits will give 100% accuracy, if we can have better results, maybe around 75% efficacy, then we can take a call later,” he told TNM. 

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Five Karnataka Ministers are primary contacts of video journalist who got COVID-19

Coronavirus

Three of these ministers also attended meetings with the CM on Wednesday.

Theja Ram

After the cameraperson of a private Kannada news channel tested positive for the novel coronavirus, five Karnataka Ministers, who were primary contacts of the journalist, have been asked to quarantined themselves, according to TOI. The video journalist, otherwise known as Patient 475, met five ministers including two Deputy Chief Ministers — Govind Karjol and Dr CN Ashwath Narayan — as well as Minister for Housing V Somanna, Minister for Tourism, Kannada and Culture CT Ravi, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai.  Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai had also interacted with the media on April 26, two days after the cameraperson tested positive.  According to the Karnataka Health Department, the journalist traveled from his house to Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's official residence, Krishna, on April 20. He again visited Krishna at around 12.15 pm on April 21 and took bytes of one of the Deputy Chief Ministers and also Tourism Minister CT Ravi. On April 21, the cameraperson shot a video byte with Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, while he was in his car. At 3.30 pm on the same day, he traveled to Ramanagara along with his colleague and driver.  On April 22, at around 9 am, he shot an interview with Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar in RT Nagar. On the same day, at around 1.30 pm, he shot an interview with Housing Minister V Somanna. However, Health Department officials said that precautionary measures were taken when the interview took place with V Somanna.  "The journalists and the minister were wearing masks and gloves," the official said. At 2 pm, he shot a byte of one of the Deputy Chief Ministers. Soon after, he shot visuals of a programme organised by Member of Legislative Council YA Narayana Swamy. On April 23, he gave his swab sample at the CV Raman General Hospital in Indiranagar. He was tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 on April 24.  Fortunately, the cameraperson's wife and two-and-half-year-old son have tested negative. Sources with the CMO told TNM that he did not come directly into contact with Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. However, at a time when primary and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients are being quarantined until their test results come out, these ministers have been advised home quarantine. BJP sources told TNM that Ministers CT Ravi, Basavaraj Bommai and Dr K  Sudhakar tested negative. However, TNM could not confirm whether the other ministers mentioned above gave their samples for testing or not.  Three of the ministers even attended a meeting with the Chief Minister on Wednesday. These ministers, BJP sources say, had also attended meetings with CM Yediyurappa between April 25 and April 29.  "The journalist came into contact with many other ministers. At this point all ministers have been given an option of getting tested if they want to," a member of Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar's team said.   (With inputs from Prajwal Bhat)

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