Chad Wolf said states are reopening safely.
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Two more patients, one staff member in NIMHANS test positive for coronavirus
With this, a total of three patients and 10 staff members at the Bengaluru hospital have now tested positive.
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Medical services at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru were temporarily affected on Saturday after two patients tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The two patients, aged 34 and 30 respectively, are women and have been admitted to the Victoria Hospital. While one of the patients was brought into the psychiatry emergency ward and was due for admission, the other patient was due for neurological surgery. The patient in the psychiatry ward was initially placed in the holding area awaiting admission where she was kept in close proximity with four other patients. Now, those four patients have been shifted to institutional quarantine. 20 other patients, whom they met, have also been shifted to some other block as a precaution. Another patient was a neurosurgery patient who was scheduled to undergo elective surgery for meningioma and was kept in a preoperative holding ward. Seven other patients in the ward who were present at the spot are being monitored. A 32-year-old female staff member who also tested positive on the same day was also sent to Victoria Hospital. She was working in a different psychiatry ward and had no connection with the two patients. 10 patients and 10 other medical staff who came in contact with her have been kept in observation. With this, a total of three patients and 10 staff in the hospital has now tested positive in NIMHANS. After a brief disruption on Saturday night, services at the Emergency and Psychiatric ICU (intensive care unit) were started in the adjacent block. Dr Sashidhar, Resident Medical Officer of NIMHANS, said, “The ICU is not a medical ICU in that sense. It's a high intensive psychiatry observation ward. Somebody who is suicidal or not taking care of self- such patients will be housed. The advantage of NIMHANS is that it has multiple blocks, geographically separated. Hence, services can be immediately relocated without hindering any service.”
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Karnataka reports 453 new COVID-19 cases, 196 of them in Bengaluru
With this, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka climbed to 9,150 of which 3,391 are active cases.
Karnataka reported 453 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, out of which 196 cases were reported in its capital city of Bengaluru. This is the highest number of cases reported in Bengaluru in a single day. Of the 196 cases in Bengaluru, 102 patients have no contact or travel history and turned up in clinics and hospitals with Influenza-like Illness (ILI) symptoms. The contacts of as many as 67 cases are yet to be traced by the health department. The remaining 22 cases were people who had travel or contact history. Bengaluru has reported 428 COVID-19 cases in the last three days, an alarming spike which has seen as many as 279 containment zones come up across the city. Read: 279 containment zones in Bengaluru as of Saturday, 31 apartments marked as zones Prominent offices including the Vikasa Soudha, Chief Minister's Krishna office, a building of the South Western Railway have been sanitised after COVID-19 cases were reported there. As many as seven COVID-19 cases have been reported so far among doctors at the Victoria Hospital, which was the designated hospital for COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru. Two psychiatry and one neurosurgery patients, as well as 10 staff members in the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) too, have tested positive for the virus. The state government has issued a notification approving the use of two stadiums, an ashram and 16 government hospitals in and around Bengaluru to treat COVID-19 patients. Similarly, the state government has also approved a list of private hospitals which will treat COVID-19 patients. The hospitals will report the cases managed in their facilities to a designated civic official. Read: Bengaluru stadiums and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ashram to house COVID-19 patients The data released in the daily health bulletin on Sunday showed a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in other parts of the state as well. 40 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Ballari while 39 cases each were reported in Kalaburagi and Vijayapura districts. 18 cases each were reported in Mysuru and Gadag districts in the state. While 11 new cases reported in Ballari were ILI patients, several cases in the district were linked to the cluster of cases connected to the JSW steel plant located in Vijayanagara. Five deaths were reported in the state including three from Bengaluru. While a 62-year-old ILI patient, who died on 16 June, tested positive for coronavirus on Sunday, two other patients, who died on Saturday, also tested positive for the virus. Two people from Bidar, who died on June 18 and had comorbidities including hypertension, also tested positive for the virus. With this, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka climbed to 9,150 of which 3,391 are active cases. The total number of cases reported in Bengaluru is 1272 of which 796 cases are active.
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Parents do 'tweetstorm' to oppose Karnataka ban on online classes
Parents and teachers asked why the govt had not confirmed a committee in April or May.
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Parents of students from various private schools took to Twitter on Sunday to bring to the government’s attention that they want online classes to resume for their wards, and want the ban on online classes revoked. Karnataka Education Department had passed an order last week banning all virtual classes (live and recorded) for classes up to standard 5. The government is currently consulting with an expert committee to draw up guidelines on online classes for school students. Read: Live virtual and pre-recorded classes stopped for students till Class 5 in Karnataka Parents tweeted, saying the government should work on ensuring access, instead of banning classes. Parents also noted that the government had not done any forward planning and paid attention to the issue during April and May, when schools were shut. “Setting up the committee after denying everyone education is just a means to hide the incompetence of the ministry. Why deny access to everyone? Work on ensuring access” one tweet read Setting up the committee after denying everyone education is just a means to hide the incompetence of the ministry. Why deny access to everyone? Work on ensuring acess @nimmasuresh #NimmaSureshFail #righttolearn — RightToLearn (@RightToLearn2) June 21, 2020 “Instead of working on ensuring access during April and May, the minister has chosen to ban education altogether in June. Couldn’t he have setup the committee in April. Why wake up only in June and now hiding behind the committee?” Instead of working on ensuring access during April and May, the minster has chosen to ban education altogether in June. Couldn’t he have setup the committe in April. Why wake up only in June and now hiding behind the committee? #NimmaSureshFail #righttolearn — Deepu Chandran (@deepuchandranpk) June 21, 2020 “Let schools, teachers, parents and kids figure out what works for them. Don’t Ban. That's lazy. Work on ensuring facilities are there in government schools and with kids who have no avenue to learn. #NimmaSureshFail #rightolearn #BanBedaChoiceBeku “ Lets schools, teachers, parents and kids figure out what works for them. Don’t Ban. Thats lazy. Work on ensuring facilities are there in government schools and with kids who have no avenue to learn. #NimmaSureshFail #rightolearn #BanBedaChoiceBeku @nimmasuresh — shahistha (@shahist79756248) June 21, 2020 A few parents pointed out that children need continuity and not learning anything for months can be detrimental. All industries are adapting to the changing scenario. Although Education is a state subject, we cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that our kids will miss out a lot in the months lost. Karnataka ministry needs to change its outlook. #righttolearn #HRDMinistry https://t.co/j5nvnZ1V2x — Nayanika B (@NayanikaBanerj3) June 21, 2020 #righttolearn Let us not leave our children loose their time to learn and develop. pic.twitter.com/OjZZsnyWtc — MAHESWARA RAMACHANDR (@maheshram77) June 21, 2020 Teachers too joined the tweetstorm pledging their support for online classes. Quite a few schools have laid off or cut salaries of teachers since the government has told parents that they need not pay fees for now, till classes resume. The Delhi high court has appreciated the efforts by schools to provide online learning. Is our Karnataka govt blind to our teachers' efforts to give our children the right to their future? #righttolearn #BanBedaChoiceBeku #NimmaSureshFail @CMofKarnataka @HRDMinistry — Rajesh Soundararajan (@rajeshsound) June 21, 2020 Over the last few weeks, many have opposed online classes as it would adversely affect those students who do not have access to a laptop, mobile phone or internet. With most parents working from home, many who have laptops and mobiles are unable to spare it for their wards. To combat this, the government had proposed to have televised classes for students as most children have TV in their homes. Moreover, schools were trying to complete the syllabus through online classes, thereby making students glued to the screens for hours. Also read: Karnataka seeks exclusive channels for televised education, writes to Centre Rajesh Bhat, who is part of the All India Save Education campaign, says that educational institutions are trying to put pressure on the government. “Private international schools badly want online classes (to continue). Many schools have bought software paying lakhs of rupees from software developers. Now, the ban on online classes have affected them. Many schools have not gotten admissions after the ban on online classes.” Education Minister Suresh Kumar had told TNM that the ban is only temporary and the committee was looking at curtailing hours of learning and cutting down the syllabus. However, if the government does not make its position clear by next week, it could spell more trouble for schools and agitate parents who want online classes to resume.
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3 Bengaluru men die in road accident while doing stunts on two-wheelers
The traffic police statement said while one of the vehicles—- a Honda Deo scooter had a number plate KA-03-JS-0623, the other vehicle a Yamaha RX did not have a number plate.
A joy ride turned tragic for three young men in Bengaluru. The trio died in a road accident in Bengaluru on Sunday morning allegedly after they attempted to perform stunts on their motorbikes. According to the police, the accident occurred at around 6:30 am in the morning on the Ballari Road (which leads to the Kempegowda International Airport) when two bikes involving that these three men were on collided near the Jakkur Air Field. Police said the youngsters were doing wheelies on their bikes. Both the vehicles were going from Yehalanka towards Hebbal. The victims have been identified as Mohammed Aadi Ayaan, (16), Maaj Ahmad Khan (17) and Syed Riyaz (22). All the men were residents of Govindapura. Bengaluru Traffic Police authority said that one of the two wheelers involved in this tragedy did not have a number plate. The traffic police statement said while one of the vehicles—- a Honda Deo scooter had a number plate KA-03-JS-0623, the other vehicle a Yamaha RX did not have a number plate. Yehalanka police have registered a first information report (FIR) under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and has begun investigation. The FIR has been registered under sections 279 (Rash driving or riding on a public way), 114 (Abettor present when offence is committed). 304(A) [ Causing death by negligence.]. 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.) and 189 (Threat of injury to public servant) of IPC. In the same stretch of the road another fatal accident was reported in June 2019. In that instance, a speeding government-run-ambulance had jumped the median on the Ballari road and hit a car coming from the opposite side of the road. While the ambulance was heading towards Yelahanka, the car was moving towards Hebbal. As a result of the accident, all the five passengers in the car had died.
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Karnataka has received only 90 out of 1,300 ventilators it had asked from Union govt
At present, there are around 999 ventilator beds which are spread across all hospitals in the state.
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Though the Karnataka government has gained praise from the Union government for its management of the COVID-19 pandemic, acquisition of ventilators remains a concern for the state. According to officials, out of the 1,300 ventilators that it had asked from the Centre, Karnataka has received only 90. Ventilators are important for the survival of COVID-19 patients who need critical care, especially at a time when their own breathing is affected as a result of the viral infection and other related health conditions. Since the onset of the pandemic, the state government, through the Karnataka State Drug Logistics and Warehousing Society, had asked for over 1,500 ventilators in March itself. The state had approached the Centre for 1,300 ventilators, while the rest it was to procure from the private sector. Till date, the Karnataka government has received only 158 units. Out of these, 90 came from Hindustan Lifecare, a public sector unit; 40 came from Skanray (a Mysuru-based company) which received bulk orders, and 28 others came from multiple small vendors. Hindustan Lifecare is due to supply over 1,000 ventilators alone. The numbers were confirmed by the Additional Director of Karnataka State Drug Logistics and Warehousing Society, N Manjushree. However, Dr Om Prakash Patil, the Director of the Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department, said that right now, the existing ventilators have not been used since the number of patients requiring ventilator support is currently quite low in the state. Till date, only 74 patients in the state among the 3,170 active COVID-19 cases who are undergoing treatment in the state have been admitted to intensive care units (ICU). However, the number of patients requiring ventilator support is much less, claim state government officials. “We have started receiving the ventilators which were in the pipeline already. We will get another 500 ventilators shortly. But at present, utilisation of ventilators is very less. Many might require oxygen supplies. Right now, this is not a reason for worry. But we are working to get them as fast as possible,” Dr Patil told TNM. At present, there are around 999 ventilator beds which are spread across all hospitals in the state. Bengaluru at present has 265 ventilators while neighbouring Bengaluru Rural only has three. While Chitradurga has six ventilator beds, Yadgir and Chamarajanagar districts have seven ventilator beds each, and Chikkamagaluru district has nine ventilator beds. However, some districts in the north and coastal parts are ill-equipped to deal with a sudden surge of critical cases. Read: COVID-19 exposes lack of beds, inadequate facilities in north Karnataka
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Karnataka’s Kaggaladu bird sanctuary: Where painted storks and people co-exist
While village trees are left undisturbed for nesting, the residents do not allow outsiders to touch the trees and protect the birds like their own offspring.
A 123-km drive from Bengaluru took us to Kaggaladu, a nondescript hamlet located in Sira, a historically significant town in Karnataka’s Tumkur district. Carpets of yellow-green paddy fields and rust-brown mature ragi heralded a warm welcome to the legendary village of the winged visitors. A sprinkling of tiny hamlets and green shrub forests added to the rural landscape. We savoured a slice of the pastoral charm as we zipped along a winding road across the Kollambella wetland, an apparent attraction for waterfowl. Accompanied by a group of photo enthusiasts and avid birdwatchers from Bengaluru, I was on a photographic jaunt to click pictures of the annual congregation of the avian wonders. As I roamed around Kaggaladu at a leisurely pace, I saw some of the village residents relaxing in their houses built in the traditional style with raised platforms, carved wooden pillars and red-tiled sloping roofs. The residents’ fondness for bright colours is discernible in the temple, houses and even their bullock carts. The inhabitants of the village typically follow the ancient rhythms of the agricultural calendar. The residents have been living in harmony with the bird colony breeding in their village for several years. Kaggaladu would have remained in obscurity if Wildlife Adventure Nature Club (WANS) had not discovered it in 1999. This Tumkur-based NGO not only adopted it but also monitored and tracked the nesting colony of these winged visitors and the neighbouring wetland of Kollambella. Interestingly, Kaggaladu is said to be the second largest painted stork sanctuary in South Asia after Kokrebellur Bird Sanctuary in the state’s Mandya district. Village temple From December to August, Kaggaladu comes alive with shrill cries, squawks and mighty flaps of broad wings when countless painted storks and herons descend in droves, especially to build their nests and rear their young. Every tree holds many nests, and if you go in May the sight is amazing as many newborn birds learn to fly during this period, and the shrill voices of these young ones fill the environment with unusual energy. During these months, bird and man co-exist peacefully. As we approached the heart of the village, the air resonated with the low murmuring and persistent droning of birds colonising on the large, shady tamarind and ficus trees. We were greeted by the stunning spectacle of winged visitors roosting atop trees, circling low on the ground, then swirling and soaring higher in the sky. It was fascinating to see these birds nesting in the village in very close proximity to the villagers. It is a treat to watch the colourful painted storks glide and hover over the trees. We watched in delight a mother feeding her young ones, spreading her wings to protect her offspring from the scorching heat, and the young ones happily playing their little birdy games under the shadow of her wings. As I strolled around, I came across some village women engaged in relaxed chatter. They informed me that the wildlife division of the Karnataka Forest department pays an annual incentive to each family to maintain the tamarind trees. “For us, these birds are simply a godsend. We have always protected them, believing that they foretell good fortune and bring rains and good crops. The fish diet of the birds provides us with abundant bird droppings rich in potassium and phosphate which are used as manure for our crops,” explained a resident. It is strange that the birds breed only within this village. Village trees are left undisturbed for the nesting of the avian wonders. “Not a single tree in the village is touched. They are left undisturbed for the birds to nest,” said a farmer. Kaggaladu residents do not allow any outsiders to touch the trees or the birds and protect them like their own offspring. While many of the villagers are interested in protecting the birds for their visual appeal, a few believe that they are harbingers of prosperity. However, everyone likes to flaunt their long association with the birds. The residents are encouraged not to damage trees but maintain them by not pruning their branches or harvesting the ripe imli fruits as it would disturb the nests and scare the birds away. Remains of a fort in the village This heronry is not an officially managed one. No tickets are required to visit the sanctuary. Many environmentalists have sent proposals to the Forest department requesting an official bird sanctuary status for Kaggaladu. The department has ensured protection to the birds by deploying staff at the village during the peak season. Steps have been taken to ensure that vehicles don’t overspeed along the stretch. As the village residents lose revenue because the tamarind trees are not harvested, monetary compensation is given to them to maintain the trees. In course of time, more tamarind trees sprang up and the gram panchayat decided not to harvest them to ensure that the nests are left undisturbed. This people-initiated conservation measure has helped curb the drastic decline in breeding numbers. The birds live in perfect harmony and mutual tolerance with the villagers and enjoy their protection – a perfect example of peaceful co-existence between man and nature. It is no wonder that Kaggaladu has earned the sobriquet of ‘People’s Bird Sanctuary’. All pictures by Susheela Nair Susheela Nair is an independent food, travel and lifestyle writer, and photographer based in Bangalore. She has contributed content, articles and images on food, travel, lifestyle, photography, environment and ecotourism to several reputed national publications. Her writings constitute a wide spectrum, including guide books, brochures and coffee table books.
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