Bengaluru adds 570 containment zones, most new cases in 20-29 age group

Coronavirus

The total number of containment zones in Bengaluru stands at 20,679.

TNM Staff

Image for representation/PTI

On Friday, Karnataka’s capital city of Bengaluru, which has been reporting a majority of coronavirus cases in the state, added 570 containment zones. This brings the total number of containment zones in the city to 13,238. Meanwhile, 20,679 containment zones have been reported in Bengaluru till date. Bengaluru saw 2,220 new COVID-19 patients reported on Friday – 40% of all new cases reported in Karnataka. Bengaluru west zone added the highest number of new patients (25%), followed by south (22%) and east (21%) zones. In the last 10 days though, cumulative number of cases in Bengaluru south (23%) and east (23%) each has been higher than the west zone. Bengaluru south continues to have the highest number of active as well as total containment zones in the city – nearly 4,500 – followed by east zone, west zone, Bommanahalli, RR Nagara, Mahadevapura, Yelahanka and Dasarahalli respectively. For the second day in a row, the age group of 20 to 29 reported the highest number of coronavirus patients (301 men and 195 women) in Bengaluru. Before this, Bengaluru had reported the most of the new cases in this age group on July 25. Between July 26 and July 30, age group 30 to 39 had been reporting a majority of the new COVID-19 patients being recorded in the city. Karnataka has reported the fourth highest number of COVID-19 cases in India, following Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi in that order. The state reported 5483 new patients on Friday – recording over 5,000 new cases for the fourth day in a row – and has 72,005 active cases in total. Eighty people were also reported to have succumbed to the disease on Friday, 20 of whom were from Bengaluru.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2DlKewW
via IFTTT

BJP sends legal notice to Siddaramaiah, DKS in row over buying COVID-19 equipment

Coronavirus

Congress leaders had earlier claimed that equipment including test kits, beds, PPE and ventilator were bought by the state government at prices much higher than the maximum retail price.

TNM Staff

  Congress leaders had earlier claimed that equipment including test kits, beds, PPE and ventilator were bought by the state government at prices much higher than the maximum retail price.   The BJP's Karnataka unit on Friday said it has sent legal notice to the leader of opposition Siddaramaiah and state Congress chief DK Shivakumar for their allegations of corruption in the procurement of COVID-19 equipment and supplies. The party termed the allegations 'baseless' and demanded public apology from the two leaders, failing which they have been threatened with legal action. "On one side Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah say the government was not sharing information with them despite writing twenty letters... when the government did not share any information, where did you get this figure, who gave you this," BJP general secretary N Ravi Kumar asked. Congress leaders had earlier claimed that equipment including test kits, beds, PPE and ventilator were bought by the state government at prices much higher than the maximum retail price.   Ravi Kumar said that the statement by the Congress was intended to mislead the people and malign the reputation of the government and the Chief Minister. "How did they say that Rs 4,167 crore has been spent? Our government, Ministers and Chief Minister have said that much amount has not been spent," he said, adding that the two leaders have been given 15 days time to reply to the notice. Siddaramaiah had last week alleged that the total expenditure of the government relating to COVID-19 was Rs 4,167 crore of which at least Rs 2,000 crore was "pocketed" by ministers and officials. Refuting this, as many as five ministers had said the overall expenditure of the government is Rs 2,118 crore, with Rs 1,611 crore going for COVID-19 relief measures and Rs 506 crore for purchase of medical equipment. Stating that in the legal notice it has been mentioned that allegations have caused damage to the party and the government's image, Kumar said they have sought a public apology. "We have also warned that or else we will be forced to take up legal action in the days to come," he added. Siddaramaiah while making the allegation had demanded inquiry by a sitting high court judge, which the government has rejected. Hitting out at Siddaramaiah for "unnecessarily" alleging corruption and seeking an inquiry from a sitting high court judge, Kumar asked the former Chief Minister about his accountability on his Hublot watch that had earlier led to controversy. "Siddaramaiah repeatedly targets Yediyurappa saying that he had gone to jail, had D K Shivakumar gone for picnic or tour to Delhi (Tihar jail). With what morality is Siddaramaiah sitting next to Shivakumar?" he asked. "Shivakumar's assets were Rs 251 crore in 2013 and in 2018 it was Rs 840 crore, in five years 200% increase, what business are you doing, please share it with people of state," he added, as he questioned Congress leaders' morality. The allegations constitute a "classic case of slander which constitutes both civil and criminal defamation," the notice read. Meanwhile, Shivakumar reiterated the demand for a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge into the allegations of corruption. Speaking to reporters at Mangaluru, Shivakumar, who is on his first visit to the city after taking charge as KPCC chief, claimed serious corruption charges have come up against the government in the purchase of equipment and other supplies during the COVID-19 crisis. He alleged that the BJP government was indulging in corruption in the name of COVID-19 management. The government should also hold a meeting of the public accounts committee to ensure transparency in the spending of public money for pandemic management, he said. Shivakumar said a 30-member team from the Congress will visit all districts of the state to instill confidence in people affected by the pandemic and provide them assistance. He also criticised the government for the treatment meted out to migrant workers during the crisis. The government has not made arrangements to provide them food and shelter though they were asked to stay back to continue with construction activities, he claimed.  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2EGdQpp
via IFTTT

Karnataka Minister BC Patil, five staff members test positive for coronavirus

Coronavirus

BC Patil recently visited Haveri and Koppal in Karnataka.

TNM Staff

Karnataka Agriculture Minister BC Patil on Friday said he has tested positive for the coronavirus. Five staff members who travelled with him to Koppal recently also tested positive for the virus. "The report has confirmed me to be corona positive. I am in home quarantine at my residence in Bengaluru," BC Patil said in a social media post. ಇದೀಗ ಬಂದ ವರದಿಯ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ನನಗೆ ಕೊರೋನಾ ಪಾಸಿಟಿವ್ ಎಂದು ದೃಢಪಟ್ಟಿದೆ. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ನನ್ನ ನಿವಾಸದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಂ ಕ್ವಾರಂಟೈನ್ ಆಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಕೊಪ್ಪಳ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗೆ ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿದ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ, ನನ್ನ ಜೊತೆ ಆಗಮಿಸಿದ ಐದು ಜನ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿಗಳಿಗೂ ಕೊರೋನಾ ಪಾಸಿಟಿವ್ ಎಂದು ವರದಿ ಬಂದಿದೆ. 1/2 — Kourava B.C.Patil (@bcpatilkourava) July 31, 2020 He said that he will be quarantined in his residence.  "Five staff members who accompanied me during a recent visit to Koppal district were reported to be coronavirus positive," he said. "The primary and secondary contacts who met me in Koppal should get tested immediately if they observe they have symptoms of COVID-19," he added. BC Patil also recently visited Hirekerur in Haveri district of Karnataka.  Karnataka reported 5483 COVID-19 cases on Friday, taking the total active cases in the state to over 72,000. Over 36,000 tests were conducted in the state on Friday including 22,164 rapid antigen tests and 14,722 RT-PCR tests.  Bengaluru reported 37618 active COVID-19 cases on Friday after 2220 new cases were recorded. The state capital has reported a sustained spike in COVID-19 cases since July 1. The city was under a lockdown for a week from July 14 to 22. 2314 people have died in the state after being infected with the virus while over 49,000 people have made a full recovery.  A slew of politicians have tested positive for the coronavirus including Mangaluru North MLA Bharat Shetty and Sedam MLA Rajkumar Patil Telkur and BJP MLC MK Pranesh from Chikkamagaluru. Several politicians in the state told TNM that they are limiting their interactions with the public and are addressing grievances through phone calls.  Opposition politicians in Karnataka have held several protests where no physical distancing was observed while even ministers in the ruling BJP have taken part in public events without wearing masks.  Read:Karnataka politicians take precautions after several leaders get COVID-19

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Xhlflh
via IFTTT

Vaccine project contract raises transparency questions

Executives with pharma ties are exempt from disclosing conflicts.

from Health Care https://ift.tt/3jVDre2
via IFTTT

COVID-19: Karnataka reports 5483 new cases, 2220 from Bengaluru

This takes the total active COVID-19 cases in Karnataka to over 72,000.

TNM Staff

Image for representation/PTI

Karnataka has reported more than 5,000 new cases of coronavirus for the fourth consecutive day, with 5,483 new patients on Friday. The total active cases in the state now stands at 72,005, according to the latest bulletin released by the Karnataka State Health Department. The state’s capital Bengaluru has reported 2,220 cases of coronavirus, taking the total cases reported till date in the city to 55,544. The total active cases in Bengaluru, as of Friday, stands at 37,618 cases. So far, Karnataka has reported a total of 1,24,115 COVID-19 patients. Most of the cases have been reported from Bengaluru. However, other districts are also not far behind. The case load reported has been as follows: Ballari (340), Belagavi (217), Udupi (213), Dakshina Kannada (204), Mysuru (204). Other districts which reported hundred cases and above are Dharwad (180), Shivamogga (158), Kalaburagi (144), Davangere (122), Raichur (119), Vijayapura (118), Bengaluru Rural (105), Bidar (104), and Hassana (100 cases). Eighty four people have died on COVID-19 in Karnataka on Friday. This takes the total death toll in the state to 2,314 patients. Bengaluru reported 20 deaths, Dakshina Kannada 10, Dharwad seven, while Kalaburagi reported six deaths. Among the active cases in Karnataka, 609 people are currently in intensive care units (ICUs). Bengaluru reported the highest number of such patients, with 336 people who are currently admitted to ICUs. There were 3,130 people who were discharged after they recovered from COVID-19 on Friday. The total discharges recorded in the state now stands at 49,788. Bengaluru reported that on this date, 1,113 people have been discharged after they recovered from COVID-19. Mysuru reported 302 recoveries on Friday, the second highest in the state. The testing data in the bulletin showed that Karnataka conducted 22,164 rapid antigen tests and 14,772 RT-PCR tests on Friday. This takes the total number of tests in the state to 36,936.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/33eamo4
via IFTTT

Three arrested for procuring, attempting to sell deer antlers in Bengaluru

Crime

A case has been registered against all the three under the Wildlife Act and the accused will be handed over to the forest department.

IANS

Bengaluru police have arrested three men for attempting to sell deer antlers or horns procured from unknown forest sources at Rs 5 lakh based on a tip off. "We have arrested Sundaresh, Manjunath and Raghavendra for attempting to sell two deer antlers,"  Central Crime Branch (CCB) Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Kuldeep Jain told IANS. "To lure the customers, the accused made a video about the antlers and told stories that grinding a small part of the antler into power and drinking with water will heal some ailment or their mere presence would bring luck and so on," said Jain. A case has been registered against all the three under the Wildlife Act and the accused will be handed over to the forest department. It is clearly not known from whom the accused procured the antlers as they are claiming that they received them from some forest sources. Police got a tip-off that the three were trying to sell the antlers to a prospective buyer in Yeshwantpur area in the city. Both the deer horns, one of which is a complete set with both the horns and other one a smaller one, were being quoted a price of Rs 5 lakh and weighing approximately 2 kg. The bigger horn weighed 1.3 kg and the smaller one 270gm. Though the police would also want to contact the buyers, the DCP said it may not be easy because all of them would have backed off after the three arrests. The police are not sure which part of Karnataka forests these antlers would have come from. Jain said the forest department will know more about such intricacies. "The antlers have already changed several hands and were in the penultimate hands of the middlemen before being passed on to a buyer," pointed out Jain. Police have seized a Toyota Innova and three mobile phones from the wildlife offenders.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/31jQHkn
via IFTTT

U.S. government awards $2.1B to Sanofi-GSK coronavirus vaccine

The government initiative aims to provide 300 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine by January 2021.

from Health Care https://ift.tt/2XdTZEs
via IFTTT