3 in family test positive for coronavirus in Ballari, stringent lockdown in place

Coronavirus

This makes Ballari the 12th district in Karnataka where a COVID-19 case has been reported.

TNM Staff

PTI : Image for representation

Three members of a family tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Ballari district of Karnataka on Monday. The source of their infection is unclear.  The cases were confirmed by Ballari Deputy Commissioner SS Nakul and Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister B Sriramulu.  "The family will be treated at the district hospital. Extensive disinfection of the affected area will take place. Health workers will do surveys to check if there is anyone who has developed symptoms of COVID-19," SS Nakul told reporters on Monday.  ಇಂದು ಹೊಸಪೇಟೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದೇ ಕುಟುಂಬದ ಮೂವರಿಗೆ #COVID19 ಸೋಂಕು ಖಚಿತವಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೋಂಕಿತರ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ 91ಕ್ಕೆ ಏರಿದೆ. ಇವರನ್ನು ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ಕೇಂದ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ದಾಖಲಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. #IndiaFightsCorona — B Sriramulu (@sriramulubjp) March 30, 2020 Health officials are also tracing contacts of anyone who might have come in touch with the family. Out of Karnataka’s 30 districts, Ballari is the 12th where a COVID-19 case has been reported.  DC Nakul announced that stringent lockdown measures will be implemented in Hosapete town in the district, where the family resides. "We are treating Hosapete as a containment zone and stringent lockdown measures will be in place," Nakul added.  Police barricaded the road leading to the family's residence in Hosapete after the case was confirmed.  This takes the number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka up to 91 in the state which includes 3 deaths reported from Chikkaballapura, Tumakuru and Kalaburagi, and six people who were discharged after recovering.  This includes cases from Mysuru and Mangaluru where no foreign travel history or contact history was reported. 

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Judge lifts Texas abortion ban pegged to coronavirus pandemic

Ohio, Iowa, Mississippi, Alabama and Oklahoma are among the other states that recently moved to suspend access.

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Karnataka wants those in home quarantine to send a selfie every hour, starting 7 am

Coronavirus

A press release issued by Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar exempts those in quarantine from sending selfies during sleeping hours from 10 pm to 7 am.

Prajwal Bhat

The Karnataka government has asked all those who are quarantined at home over the COVID-19 outbreak to send a selfie every hour from their home, failing which they may be housed in mass quarantine centres.  A press release, which was signed by Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar, also mentions that this exercise will be repeated, except during sleeping hours from 10 pm to 7 am. “If home quarantine person fails to send selfie every one hour (except sleeping time from 10 PM to 7 AM) then the government will reach such defaulters and they are liable to be shifted them to government created mass quarantine,” (sic) reads the directive. It mentions that the selfie or photo will include location coordinates which informs the government where the sender is.  Every selfie sent by a home-quarantined person is seen by the state government’s photo verification team. So if wrong photos are sent, then also defaulters will be shifted to mass quarantine, adds the directive.  This is in addition to all the other measures taken already against the spread of COVID-19 in the state. People who have returned from a foreign country are stamped on their hands, notices are stuck outside their houses and their details have been uploaded on a list released by the government too. The state government has set up a COVID-19 control room at the office of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in Bengaluru. The control room consists of volunteers who fact-check news items and take notes from calls made to the helpline numbers in the state.  In Karnataka, people who have returned from a foreign country and people who may have come in contact with a COVID-19 patient are quarantined at their homes. A bulletin issued by the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department on Monday evening stated that there are 23,152 people in the state who have been stamped with the quarantine details.  Volunteer teams visiting the home of people in quarantine will also click their photos and send it to the government. The state government also shared the link to an android application— Quarantine Watch— to be downloaded and used by those in home quarantine in the state.  “We have been given the list of addresses of people who are quarantined. We will be visiting their houses and checking with their neighbours if they have left their homes,” said a volunteer working with the Karnataka government. The volunteers are working with jurisdictional police stations and are helping police track down and keep tabs on people who are quarantined in their homes.  However, the move has faced opposition, with technology policy experts questioning the need for collecting large amounts of data pertaining to people who are quarantined.  “Taking selfies and uploading them every hour is enabling the collection of more information than what is needed. One does know to what extent will this data remain or will be removed in the future,” Apar Gupta,  Executive Director, Internet Freedom Foundation told TNM. He further pointed out that the link to the app's privacy policy led the user to the website of the Revenue Department of Karnataka. Last week, the same department released a list of around 20,000 addresses of people who are currently quarantined at their homes. The state government also released a mobile application which revealed the addresses of COVID-19 patients in the state. The list of addresses were divided by districts and it included over 14,000 addresses from Bengaluru alone.  Read: Karnataka’s app for contact tracing reveals home addresses of COVID-19 patients 88 people in the state have tested positive for COVID-19, including 41 cases in Bengaluru and 12 in Mysuru. In Mysuru, ten people infected are employees of a pharmaceutical company— Jubilant— in Nanjangud and the state government is yet to trace the source of the infection.

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10 from a Mysuru pharma company get COVID-19, source of infection unclear

Coronavirus

The first case in this cluster, that of a 35-year-old man, had no relevant foreign travel or contact history, according to the state government.

Prajwal Bhat

Four more employees of a pharmaceutical company in Mysuru tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. This means that as many as ten employees of Jubilant, a pharmaceutical company which has a unit in Nanjangud in Mysuru, have now tested positive for COVID-19.  Mysuru Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G Shankar told TNM that health officials are yet to trace the source of the infection. However, Jawaid Akhtar, Principal Secretary (Health), told TNM that they were investigating if any of the packages received from China could have caused the infection. Since India had put stringent clauses on import from China, authorities are unclear if the company received any consignments recently and are investigating the same.  The first case in this cluster, that of a 35-year-old man, was reported on March 26. He had no relevant foreign travel or contact history, the Karnataka government had said. According to officials in the state health department, the man had come in contact with several healthcare professionals.  He worked in the quality assurance section of the company.  On Sunday, five more employees of the same company tested positive for the virus including four residents of Chamundi Pura Extension, Ramaswamy Layout, Govind Raj Layout areas in Nanjangud Town. One other person from Yaraganahalli New Extension in Mysury also tested positive.  The development has led to district authorities treating this as a cluster, and vehicles moving in and out of Nanjangud are being monitored closely. Nanjangud is known for the famous Srikanteshwara Temple. Around 1,000 employees of the pharmaceutical company are quarantined at home.  The movement of essential services are allowed as of now. So far, 88 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Karnataka including 12 people who have tested positive in Mysuru.  Apart from the cases in Mysuru, a 13-year-old boy from Tumakuru also tested positive for the virus on Monday. He is the son of the 65-year-old man who died after he had earlier tested positive for the virus.   

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Life after self-quarantine in Beijing: A Bengalurean writes

Coronavirus

Beijing, a city that used to be full of crowds and fun is very different now.

Shilpashree Jagannathan

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Even as India is on lockdown, Madan*, who recently travelled to Beijing amid the pandemic has completed his mandatory self-quarantine in the Chinese capital. The Bengaluru native who works in Beijing has now returned to work. This is his experience after self-quarantine as told to Shilpashree Jagannathan. After 14 days of self-quarantine, I seem to have become more profound in my thought process. I did have my ups and downs as I had to be ‘caged’ in the house. But it wasn’t all that bad, to be honest. I have a self-assumed shrink role to play with my family to remain sane, as India is under lockdown now.  Life after self-quarantine After the end of my quarantine period, I was allowed to go to the building society’s office and get a ‘pass’ so that I could enter and exit. This pass certifies that I don't have the virus after the 14-day period of isolation. That morning, the first few steps outside felt strange. The outdoor air felt a little abnormal. And to my surprise, I didn't feel as happy to get out as I assumed I would be. I went to the society office and showed my passport and other documents to get my pass. On my return, I went around the building as it felt nice.  The next day, I could go to work. I honestly felt unsafe entering the ‘outside’ world as I was in complete control of my house and used to keep it safe with disinfectants, etc. As I stepped out, I could see that the usual paths and gates in my building had closed down. Only one gate could be used to go in and out. There, they would check everyone's temperature and entry pass as they came in.  Getting to office This diversion made me walk nearly an extra kilometre. The city isn't fully up yet, but my office is. People just go to work and head back home. The city that used to be full of crowds and fun is very different now. The malls are just about 20% full as are the restaurants.  Like all the compounds (the Indian equivalent of a gated community of office complexes) in Beijing, even my office complex is quite large, has many buildings, with just one gate for entry and exit. I have been given a separate pass by my office to show that I work there and I am clear of infection. So essentially, everyday I have to show this office pass at the complex entrance where my temperature is checked once; it is checked again at the entrance of my office building. Besides, every afternoon, the Human Resources department in my office goes around checking everyone's temperature and notes it down. This is all being done even though the local cases have gone to down zero and any new case that comes, is from outside (foreigners and Chinese who are returning home). Beijing  Nowadays, the city has no life after 8- 9 pm. Roads are empty, the eateries are barely open; even if they are, they just have a couple of people. Even during weekends, not many venture out. But people who have been here all through the outbreak say that it is much better than what it was. So I guess it will all get back to normal pretty soon. Most commercial places have heat-sensing devices and registers, they have stopped physically checking people now. I also see people don't really maintain the 3-feet distance once they know that you're not infected. Going by this trend, it almost seems like the world would start getting back to normal two months from now. And to be fully normal would probably take another five months. This virus has impacted the world in many ways that people never imagined it would. But it is only going to help to be hopeful and stay healthy and stop obsessing over COVID-19 the whole day as it's a rabbit hole once you go down that path. Read: Bengaluru to Beijing: A detailed account of an Indian in self-quarantine in China For those in lockdown, here are a few tips that might help: ● This is a time that many of us always wanted. Agreed that it was not planned and there is uncertainty to it, but look at the bright side. You have this time and you decide how you want to spend it. ● Have a daily routine, even though it'll be much more relaxed than the regular work day. Workout in the morning, if you are working from home, then work sitting in one place that's 'your desk'. Since there is no house help, divide the chores equitably among everyone in the house, including children. If you are alone, dedicate time for chores. I have a new-found passion for wiping surfaces until I can see a clear reflection. It is satisfying. ● Learn something new, since the whole world is under lockdown many people and companies are giving away free videos, be it home workouts or online learning etc. You just have to look for it and do it. ● If you have family staying with you, give them the space they need. Do your own thing too. ● Spend quality time with family, if you're staying with them. For instance, spend evenings working out together or play a board game. Make sure it is all routined. ● Video call people whom you miss. It will make you feel better. ● Look forward to a day when this will get over. Have a plan of what you would do, once the world gets back to normal. ● On weekends, treat it as a weekend. As soon as you wake up play a game that you always wanted to play, binge watch that Netflix TV show that has been on your list for long. ● Be positive and stay strong. This will pass.

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Bengaluru has 31 fever clinics now: What this means for you

Coronavirus

Patients or their family members can know more about their nearest fever clinic by dialing 104 or 080-46848600 or 66692000, or call 9745694756.

Soumya Chatterjee

Since Sunday morning, Bengaluru’s civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has started operating 31 fever clinics within Bengaluru city limits in a bid to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Senior health department officials in Karnataka said that anybody who has fever can come to these centres and get tested. According to senior staff of the department, these fever clinics spread across all the 28 Assembly constituencies (full list with details including contact number of administrative officers below) will act as the first line of defence for containment of the disease.  Patients or their family members can know more about their nearest fever clinic by dialling 104 or 080-46848600 or 66692000 or call 9745694756. Dr Vijayendra, the Chief Health Officer of BBMP, said that if in the primary assessment doctors feel that a patient might have COVID-19, they will be sent to government run quarantine centres for further observation. If a patient is found to have the common flu, she will be sent back home.  Once kept in quarantine, the patient will be tested for the virus and will be sent to a designated hospital or back home depending on the result of the test. At any given time while the clinic is open, there will be one doctor, nursing staff and one cleaning and security staff present in each clinic. Dr Suresh, City Programme Management Officer, said, “For the whole of Bengaluru, a total of 137 patients came into the fever clinics on Sunday, We are expecting it to grow today. Every day till the crisis is over, all these clinics will be running from 9 am to 4.30 pm. At present we are recording temperature, checking respiratory rates, and assessing other symptoms. The doctor will assess if the patient can go home or needs further testing.” He added, “Even if they are asymptomatic, we are advising them to remain quarantined in their homes, and anyway there is a lockdown.” As of Monday morning, out of the 83 cases in Karnataka, Bengaluru has seen 41 cases. Out of the 41, five of them have returned home after recovery and one person has succumbed to their comorbidities. Similar flu corners will also be set up in district and other hospitals in the state in the coming time.

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Fever Cinic	Full address	ADMIN OFFICER	CONTACT
BANASHANKARI	27TH CROSS,17TH MAIN NEAR BNM COLLEGE, BSK 2ND STAGE	DR MUKHTA BAI	9480684154
KG HALLI	NO 4 IPP BUILDING, AMC ROAD, KG HALLI	DR DIVYAVATHI	9741010458
MR PALYA	BEHIND GANESH TEMPLE MR PALYA, JC NAGAR	DR SRIDEVI	9480683577
SULTAN PALYA	NEAR PUSHPANJALI THEATER, OPP LALBAHADUR SHASTRI COLLEGE, RT NAGAR	DR SUJATHA	9480684144
ULSOOR	ULSOOR REFERRAL HOSPITAL NEAR ULSOOR POLICE STATION	DR LATHA	9901507325
YESHWANTHAPURA TRANSIT CLINIC	YESHWANTHAPURA BMTC BUS STATION	DR MADHURA	813289656
MAJESTIC TRANSIT CLINIC	MAJESTIC BMTC BUS STATION	DR VISHWAS	9663946534
TASKER TOWN	BROADWAY DISPENSARY, SHIVAJUNAGAR	DR TEENA	7899971965
KODIHALLI	1ST CROSS BEHIND WARD OFFICE, OLD AIRPORT ROAD	DR SUNIL	9731830194
HEROHALLI	HEROHALLI UPHC	DR RAMESH N	9901231643
LAGGERE	LAGGERE UPHC	DR ASMA	9448694945

Fever Cinic	Full address	ADMIN OFFICER	CONTACT
GH YELAHANKA	GH YEHALANKA	DR ASMA	944869956
KODIGEHALLI	KODIGEHALLI UPHC	DR PREMANAND BR	9448792436
MALLASANDRA	MALLASANDRA UPHC	DR DAYANAND	9449683898
MARATAHALLI	MARATHALLI UPHC	DR SAVITHA	8660569642
BEGUR	BEGUR UPHC	DR SUNITHA REDDY	984413088
KONAKUNTE	KONANAKUNTE PHC, NEAR PLOCE STATION	DR RAVISHANKAR	9448343155
GH KR PURAM	GH KR PURAM PHC	DR CHANDRASEKHAR	9448332195
ANEKAL	ANEKAL GH UPHC	DR NALINI	9606507262
GORI PALYA RH UCHC	2ND CROSS SANGAM CIRCLE ORI PALYA RHUPHC	DR SHOBHA	9480683908
KODANDRAPURA	SIRUR PARK RD SESHADRIPURAM NEXT TO ESI HOSPITAL NEAR NATARAJ THEATER	DR SHAHEEN JAVEED	9886210326
MAHALAKSHMI LAYOUT			8029558483

Fever Cinic	Full address	ADMIN OFFICER	CONTACT
MAHALAKSHMI LAYOUT	AGB LAYOUT 2ND MAIN RD BALAGA CHAIRMAN CHINNAPA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL	DR MALATHI	9480685533
NAGAPPA BLOCK DISPENSARY	NEAR GKW LAYOUT BUS STOP NEAR MASJID-E-MOHAMMEDIYA	DR PRADEEP	9980767810
NETHAJI CIRCLE MATHIKERE UPHC	BBMP BUILDING NETHAJI CIRCLE	DR SAVITHA	9886620365
SRI RAMPURA REFERRAL HOSPITAL	NEAR SRIRAMPURA POST OFFICE SEVA KENDRA BUILDING	DR FATHIMA	9480683788
JP NAGAR UPHC	12TH CROSS 35TH MAIN, JP NAGAR	DR GEETHA	90081933333
H SIDDAIAH ROAD RH UCHHC	2ND CROSS D MAWALLI BIHAND, JC ROAD	DR YOGANAND	9880435573
VIDYA PEETHA UPHC	12TH CORSS BACKSIDE OF HANUMANTHA NAGAR PS	DR GOUTHAM V	99644999007
ADUGODI DISP UPHC	#50 BHUBENESHWRI ROAD BAZAR STREET ADUGODI SIGNAL HOSUR ROAD	DR RAJESHWARI	99-02156278
WEST OF CHORD ROAD UPHC	9TH MAIN VIJAYANGAR DISPENSARY	DR NIRMALA	9986030169

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13-year-old son of Tumakuru man who died of COVID-19 tests positive

Coronavirus

The 65-year-old man who died had no travel history abroad. Sira town is now under complete lockdown.

TNM Staff

The 13-year-old son of a COVID-19 patient who died in Karnataka's Tumakuru district, tested positive for coronavirus on Monday. The boy's father, 65-year-old Patient 60, had no foreign travel history, and had fallen sick after returning from Delhi. "Patient 60's son was admitted to the district hospital yesterday (Sunday). There were certain variations in his vitals and he has been shifted to Rajv Gandhi hospital (Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases) in Bengaluru and is under isolation there," Tumakuru Deputy Commissioner Dr Rakesh Kumar told TNM.   Patient 60 had tested positive for Coronavirus infection after his death on March 27. The man had traveled to New Delhi, then came to Bengaluru via train and later boarded a bus to Tumakuru's Sira, where he lived. He had traveled to Tiptur in Tumakuru district on March 17 after his return from Delhi and had come into contact with 11 people there, who have been isolated.  The town of Sira, where the patient lived has been under complete lockdown. "Sira town has been under complete lockdown. There is no movement of vehicles and people cannot step outside their houses. Right now, we are providing food and medicines directly to everyone's houses," Dr Rakesh Kumar said.  Over 100 teams of doctors, ASHA workers, and healthcare workers have been formed. These teams are going door-to-door in Sira to find out if anyone has symptoms of COVID-19. "We are trying to quarantine or isolate people with symptoms. In Total, 30 people in the district have been quarantined. Home cooked meals are being delivered to people from low-income backgrounds from Indira Canteens. Ration is also being home delivered to those who call the helpline," he said.  So far, 84 people have been tested positive in Karnataka. Five of them have recovered and three persons have died.     

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