Newshangama

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Karnataka sees 7 new COVID-19 cases, 5 had travelled to Delhi for Jamaat meeting

Coronavirus

The total number of cases in Karnataka now stands at 151.

Seven new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Karnataka on Sunday, out of which five people had attended the Tablighi Jamaat meeting in Delhi. The seven patients include a couple from Bengaluru, aged 68 and 62. They had returned from Dubai on March 22 and have now been quarantined at a private hospital. The report also states that these two, identified as patient 145 and 146, are asymptomatic. Meanwhile, four cases have been reported in Belagavi and all four had attended the Tablighi Jamaat meeting between March 13 and 18. They returned to Belagavi on March 20. The four cases include a 36-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man, a 67-year-old woman, and a 41-year-old woman. All four patients have been isolated at the district hospital in Belagavi, the bulletin said. The seventh patient is a 41-year old-man from Ballari district who had also attended the Tablighi Jamaat meeting and returned on March 20. The man is asymptomatic and has been quarantined in Ballari. Till date, there have been 4 reported deaths in Karnataka due to coronavirus. Additionally, there have been 11 people who recovered from coronavirus. The rest of the cases are being treated in various hospitals and establishments. The release from the Karnataka Health Department also said that the state government was working to keep the number of cases on the state low, and also developing a fresh protocol, in the event that there would be a larger outbreak of coronavirus in the state. This meeting was held by the Karnataka Health Commissioner Pankaj Pandey, along with the Karnataka Chief Secretary Dr PC Jaffer. This meeting came even as there is the absence of substantial guidance from the Centre in the handling of the coronavirus crisis. “The government is planning to enlist volunteers to support facility functions in the event of a large number of cases, and develop training modules to enable them to carry out these functions. The protocols also make provisions for tying up with community management teams to handle follow-ups,” Health Commissioner Pankaj Pandey said in the bulletin.

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COVID-19 lockdown: Doctors worried over drop in blood supply

Coronavirus

Some medical facilities are forced to ask thalassemia patients to bring along their friends or relatives to give replacement blood.

Soumya Chatterjee

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The 21-day lockdown which is in place in Bengaluru as in the rest of the country in a bid to arrest the spread of coronavirus, has inadvertently resulted in a massive drop of regular blood supply at blood banks and hospitals. Doctors whom TNM spoke to suggest intervention is required at this point to mitigate the developing problem. Other than trauma patients and other medical complications, regular blood transfusion is required by patients suffering from thalassemia, bleeding disorders and other perennial conditions. Dr Sanjay Lenin, Medical Superintendent at St John’s Medical College Hospital, which has one of the larger private blood storing facilities in Bengaluru, said around 400 patients who have thalassemia and other permanent conditions, regularly visit the hospital – and have been affected because of the lockdown. “There is a shortage of blood, so patients who require repeated transfusion every three weeks or a month have been affected. All blood banks are now forced to ask regular volunteers to come into the hospital. The blood donation camps that were scheduled could not take place. At this time, most blood banks will be able to cater to emergencies. But the bigger challenge is to restore the routine supply. At present we are getting approximately 70% of our usual blood donations received in a week,” he said. “So what can be done is – residential areas or an apartment block can ask for permission to fix an appointment with the nearest blood bank and they can go to the facility, 2-3 people at a time and donate blood voluntarily. It can also be initiated from the blood banks and hospitals which are in need of blood,” he added. On the brighter side, he said due to the lockdown, the need for blood to mitigate injuries due to road accidents have also gone down. Dr Narsima Swamy, medical in-charge of the blood bank run by the Bangalore Medical Services Trust, also says the situation is worrying. The organisation has 27 storage centres across Bengaluru and supplies blood to both government and private medical facilities. “We used to collect 3,000 units of blood per month, now we are down to 500-600 units since the pandemic started,” he said. “In case of thalassemia patients, we are forced to ask them to bring a friend or relative to give replacement blood. This is the first time in 35 years that we cannot manage based on voluntary donations. So we have only one solution to this, healthy donors have to walk themselves to the nearest blood banks or hospitals,” he added. He said once authorised by the blood bank or hospitals, the donors can freely travel to and fro to the facility as police have authorised them to give them curfew passes. “We are reaching out to frequent donors, encouraging friends, relatives and staff, and easing up logistics,” Dr Anoop Amarnath, Chief of Clinical Services at Manipal Hospitals said.

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Mango production in Karnataka sees steep decline, arrival in market delayed by a month

Agriculture

An extended monsoon last year along with a mild winter affected the factors that lead to flowering in mango trees and the growth of fruits.

Girisha

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Due to the climatic conditions last year, including an extended monsoon season and a mild winter, Karnataka is witnessing a steep decline in mango production, and the fruit’s arrival in the market has been delayed as a result. Though mangoes should currently be available for purchase, they will likely only arrive after a month or so. The state typically accounts for about 12 lakh metric tonnes of mango every year, but officials are concerned that this year’s production will fall to about half the usual number. Mango production estimates for this season is only around 4.5 to 5.2 lakh metric tonnes. The mangoes grown in the state include Badami, Sendura, Totapuri, Mallika, Banganapalli, Neelam and Daseri among others. Both Badami and Banganapalli are export quality mangoes. Karnataka ranks after Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh in the production of mangoes in the country. KB Krishnamurthy, Deputy Director of the Mango Development Board, Madikere in Chikkaballapur, explains that the monsoon extended till November last year, whereas October and November are typically dry months. That, along with a mild winter affected the factors that lead to flowering in mango trees and the growth of fruits. Mango flowering begins in November and continues till January. By February, the fruit grows in size and eventually hits the market. However, that has not been the case this year as production has fallen by 45 to 50%. “The ideal temperature for flowering in mango trees during winter months should be below 15 degree Celsius and usually, temperatures during winter season is around 15 to 18 degree Celsius, but last year the night temperature during winter months was around 20 degree Celsius and above. This rise in temperature during winter months hampered the flowering. Flowering has been less than 50% this season,” Krishnamurthy says. To assess the mango production in each of the mango producing districts in the state, the officer says, “We have done field visits by technical committee members and the data collected indicates a fall in mango production in the state,” adding, “Not only Karnataka, mango production has taken a beating all over the country.” From the field visits, the technical committee gathered that young trees ranging between 8-15 years have had more fruits this season while old trees which are about 30-40 years old haven’t had much fruits, in a disappointment for farmers. Normally, farmers in Ramanagar and Dharwad would pick the fruits so mangoes would hit the market in time but now owing to the delayed flowering, the fruit-picking will start only from April 15 onwards. Mango growers in Kolar and Chikkaballapur will do the fruit-picking a little later. “Because of the late arrival in the market, the peak mango season would be in the last week of May this year,” the officer says. Surendra Gowda, a mango grower in Chikkaballapur’s Siddlaghatta who received the state award for quality production of mangoes last year, is unhappy this season owing to the delayed flowering. Gowda, who owns a 7-acre plot, had produced 15 tonnes of mangoes last year besides two tonnes of Imam Pasand, another popular variety. But he rues that this season he might end up with only 5-6 tonnes of mangoes and around 500 kg of Imam Pasand. “I made a profit last year and received the state award for quality mangoes, but this time around it has been only 30% flowering affecting the mango yield,” laments Gowda. He adds that he will pick the fruit only after two months since the fruits in his trees grow in size late. “It’s a failure crop this season,” Gowda says, adding that his only hope for better revenue is if growers get a better price for mangoes in the market; otherwise he and other growers would be under loss. Girisha is a freelancer who reports on wildlife and the environment.

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Did PM slyly ask nation to observe vigil on BJP Foundation day eve?: HD Kumaraswamy

Coronavirus

The former Karnataka Chief Minister questioned the Centre's lack of proactiveness in providing personal protective equipment to healthcare professionals.

TNM Staff

PTI image

Why was April 5 chosen as the day for India to observe a candlelight vigil against the spread of COVID-19? This is the question former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has asked – and has suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘slyly’ chose BJP’s foundation day eve for the vigil. The JD(S) leader tweeted on Sunday morning, “Has the PM slyly asked the nation to observe a candlelight vigil on the eve of foundation day of BJP? April 6 being its foundation day, what else can explain the choice of date and time for this event? I challenge the PM to offer a credible scientific and rational explanation.” He further questioned the government’s lack of proactiveness in providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to doctors and other healthcare professionals. “The government is yet to provide PPEs to doctors and make test kits affordable for the common man. Without telling the nation what concrete steps are being taken to combat COVID-19, the Prime Minister is giving meaningless tasks to an already exhausted population,” he added in another tweet. Has the PM slyly asked the nation to observe a candle light vigil on the eve of foundation day of BJP? April 6 being its foundation day, what else can explain the choice of date & time for this event? I challenge the PM to offer a credible scientific and rational explanation. 1/3 — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) April 5, 2020 It is shameful to convert the national crisis into an event of self aggrandizement & it is beyond shameful to push the hidden agenda of his party in the face of global calamity. May sense prevail upon the PM; ಕರುಣಾಳು ಬಾ ಬೆಳಕೆ ಮುಸುಕಿದೀ ಮಬ್ಬಿನಲಿ.. ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿದು ನಡೆಸೆನ್ನನು..... 3/3 — H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) April 5, 2020 Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson from Karnataka, Srivatsa questioned the ‘gimmicks’ of the Union government, and questioned the lack of preparedness of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He quoted a Quint article, which alleges that the government’s delayed response to COVID-19 has led to a five week delay in procurements of PPE (Personal protective equipment) for health workers in the frontline of the pandemic. In his tweet, Srivatsa said, “13 Healthcare Workers are COVID (positive) in just Delhi Why do even top hospitals like AIIMS & Safdarjung have a shortage of PPE? Modi's #5minute5baje & #9baje9minute mass stupidity gimmicks must be further demotivating Doctors who want solutions from the PM.” 13 Healthcare Workers are COVID in just Delhi Why do even top hospitals like AIIMS & Safdarjung have a shortage of PPE? Modi's #5minute5baje & #9baje9minute mass stupidity gimmicks must be further demotivating Doctors who want solutions from the PMhttps://t.co/54ofSH46Ms — Srivatsa (@srivatsayb) April 5, 2020 As of Sunday morning, Karnataka has 144 cases of COVID-19, with 11 recoveries and four deaths. There are 3,694 COVID-19 cases across India, with 88 deaths and 264 recoveries. Read: Close to 80,000 samples tested till date: Data from southern states, Maharashtra

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Opening Karnataka borders to Kerala will be like ‘embracing death’: Yediyurappa

Coronavirus

The Supreme Court had asked both the Karnataka and Kerala governments to ‘not precipitate’ the matter until the next hearing on Monday.

PTI

“Opening Karnataka borders to Kerala at this point in time will be like "embracing death," Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said on Saturday making clear his government's stand not opening the state border. The Chief Minister repeatedly said that for his government, the interest of the people of the state was supreme. Yediyurappa made his stand clear in a letter to former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda. Gowda had recently written to the Chief Minister on March 31, seeking relaxation of the border restrictions on humanitarian grounds. He had also written to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressing his anguish against Karnataka authorities for imposing restriction and promising to raise the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Stating the decision to close the border was not sudden, Yediyurappa said; it was a conscious decision after analysing the health situation in the area following the spread of COVID-19. The Chief Minister cited the Indian Medical Association, Mangaluru branch data regarding the spread of COVID-19 in Kasaragod district of Kerala and surrounding areas. Kasaragod saw a spike in cases last week. Noting that the region has over 120 positive coronavirus cases, he claimed, "This is the region with the most number of infections in the country”. If this restriction is removed, it puts the health of the people of Karnataka at risk and creates a situation of "embracing death", so we will not be able to open the border, Yediyurappa said. He also clarified that there was no prejudice behind his government's decision, and the interest of the people of the state was of utmost importance. "There is also no political maliciousness. We want to have a good and brotherly relationship with neighbouring states," he said, adding that opening the border will open a pandora's box that will be disastrous for the state. Yediyurappa also thanked opposition parties for their support to his government in its fight against COVID-19. Incidentally, the Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre to intervene and mediate talks between the health secretaries of both the states and allow patients from Kasaragod district to enter Mangaluru to avail emergency medical facilities. The Supreme Court has both the governments to ‘not precipitate’ the matter until the next hearing on Monday. The Karnataka government had moved the Supreme Court, challenging the Kerala High Court’s order on April 1 to remove the blockades. The Karnataka government has imposed a blockade from Kasaragod to roads leading up to Mangaluru. Read: SC asks Centre to mediate between Kerala and Karnataka over road blockade on border Kerala HC directs Centre to remove blockades on Kerala-Karnataka border

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Opening Karnataka borders to Kerala will be like ‘embracing death’: Yediyurappa

Coronavirus

The Supreme Court had asked both the Karnataka and Kerala governments to ‘not precipitate’ the matter until the next hearing on Monday.

PTI

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Don’t switch off all appliances at 9 pm : Karnataka Energy Dept issues advisory

Electricity

It has been warned that a sudden drop in demand might trigger a blackout.

TNM Staff

Representational image

Worried that people in Bengaluru and Karnataka will switch off all appliances during the nine minute interval at 9 pm on Sunday, as appeladed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka Energy Department has issued some advisories. It may be recalled that PM Modi on Friday had asked 130 crore Indian to switch off all lights and light a candle or switch on their torch while being at their doorstep or balconies for nine minutes to “feel the power of light” for the fight against COVID-19. Earlier the PM had asked citizens to applaud workers in the health sectors for their services in the wake of this pandemic by clapping and banging plates. The advisory said that if a significant number of people switch off their appliances at 9 pm , it will cause a sudden drop in demand and might destabilize the power grid. And that might trigger blackouts which might take 2-3 hours to fix. The Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has asked people not to switch off anything other than the lights. The HIndu quoted officials saying that a reduced demand of 700-800 megawatts is expected during this period. For this the authorities will rely on Hydroelectricity plants to tweak the power supply depending on demand. Even BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited) in a press release has asked all residential units, apartment complexes to keep all electrical appliances other than lights switched on as usual, Further local civic bodies have also been asked to switch on street lamps Earlier Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) in a circular had said that as a precautionary measure all power station in-charge officials and Regional Transmission Assent Management Centre operation staff will be on high alert to react to any major threats to power supply. Talking about the issue, former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that the PM’s call for solidarity on this day was done keeping in mind that it is also the BJP’s foundation day. He tweeted, “Has the PM slyly asked the nation to observe a candle light vigil on the eve of foundation day of BJP? April 6 being its foundation day, what else can explain the choice of date & time for this event? I challenge the PM to offer a credible scientific and rational explanation.” He instead questioned the government’s lack of proactiveness to provide personal protective equipment to doctors and other healthcare professionals. “The government is yet to provide PPEs for doctors and make test kits affordable for the common man. Without telling the nation what concrete steps are being taken to combat COVID-19 menace, the prime minister is giving meaningless tasks to an already exhausted population,” he added in another tweet XXXX a

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Sunday, April 5, 2020