COVID-19: Karnataka govt to allow pooled testing in areas with low positivity rate

COVID-19

A pooled sample method is where multiple swab samples are put together and tested using a single RT-PCR test kit.

TNM Staff

File image/PTI

The Karnataka government in order to cut costs has decided to carry out pooled testing in select areas at a tauka level of the state both in urban and rural areas wherever the positivity rate is less than 5%. To this effect, a circular was issued by Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Services, Pankajkumar Pandey on Thursday. This circular is applicable for tests done by the government and not private facilities. A pooled sample method is where multiple swab samples are put together and tested using a single RT PCR test kit. If the test results of all samples are negative, it can be concluded that all the people are negative for COVID-19. However, if the pooled sample returns as positive, everyone who is part of this sample has to be tested again individually. This method is a standard measure for randomised mass tests. The circular said. “In view of high positivity noticed after unlocking announced by Government of India, the COVID-19 samples are being tested individually through RT-PCR. However, in last few weeks, the positivity in the state has dropped from 14% to 7%. This is due to breaking of chain in disease transmission & better surveillance measures including ramped up testing. Hence, in order to optimize the RT-PCR testing, it is instructed to pool the samples (sample size-5 samples/pool) and test the same in pools. Based on the result of the sample pool, further action should be taken (viz. if positive, individual samples should be tested while if negative, all are negative) It should be noted that the pooling of the samples for diagnostic purposes is permitted only in talukas, which report a test positivity rate of <5%.” It added that these pooled testing won’t be done in areas where the positivity rate is higher than 5%. However, the circular said that the department won’t reduce the number of tests assigned to each district.This 5% positivity rate mark will be taken into account for the basis of the results of the last 7 days. At a district level, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Shivamogga, Gadag, Ramanagara and Bidar are the only four districts in the state to report a positivity rate of less than 4% for the last 7 days.

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Bengaluru reports over 10,000 COVID-19 recoveries on October 25

Coronavirus

The number of COVID-19 cases recorded in a day has been going down in Bengaluru while recoveries have been surging.

TNM Staff

Image for representation. PTI

Bengaluru reported 10,106 COVID-19 recoveries on October 25, against 4,439 new COVID-19 patients on the same day. While this marks an increase in the number of new cases reported in a single day in the city – given that Bengaluru had been recording less than 3,000 per day for the past week – the number of recoveries is among the highest in a single day. This takes the total active cases in the city to 81,050, and the total recoveries reported till date to 7,10,843. According to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) COVID-19 War Room Bulletin, almost half of the new cases recorded in the city are from three zones that have reported the highest proportion of them – Yelahanka (16%), west zone (16%) and east zone (15%). Over the last ten days, south zone has reported most of the cases at 17%, followed by west zone (16%), east zone and Mahadevapura (15% each), Bommanahalli (13%), RR Nagara (11%), and Dasarahalli (5%). Since the beginning of the pandemic, the most patients who recovered (23.9%) as well as those who tested coronavirus positive (23.58%) were found to be between the ages of 30 and 39. Those who died were most often over the age of 70 (29.6%) compared to other age groups, followed by people who were in the age of 60 to 69 (27.02%). The total number of deaths due to the novel coronavirus in the city are at 10,905. 32 fatalities were recorded on October 25. The positivity rate in Bengaluru is 11.48%, and the recovery rate is 82.99%. The death rate is 1.15%. While Karnataka is the state with the third highest number of total coronavirus positive cases in the country after Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, it is also the state with the third highest number of recoveries.     

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Mysuru set to hold Dasara finale amid COVID-19 restrictions

Festival

The grand celebration has been muted this year due to the restrictions over COVID-19 in place in the city.

TNM Staff

The world-famous victory procession of caparisoned elephants (jamboo savari) to mark the triumph of good over evil would be held in the royal Amba Vilas palace arena in Mysuru on Monday on the 10th day of the Dasara festival under the COVID-19-induced guidelines, an official said on Sunday. "The 410th year Dasara finale on Vijayadashmi will be simple and subdued due to state restrictions to contain the virus spread, with the victory parade in the palace grounds without pomp and grandeur," an official said. The city of palaces and cultural capital of Karnataka is about 150km west of Bengaluru in the southern state. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa will conduct the ritual at the Nandi Dwaja near the Balarama gate of the palace at the auspicious time (makara lagna) between 2:59-3:20 pm and make floral offerings to the Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari idol replica astride the caparisoned elephant Abhimanyu during Kumbha lagna between 3:40-4:15 pm, as per the Hindu calendar. As per tradition, the scion will conduct Banni puja on Monday and conclude the Dasara rituals. The replica of the goddess will be placed in the 750kg golden chariot (howdah) astride Abhimanyu, and will be flanked by Kumki elephants Vijaya and Kaveri, with Vikrama and Gopi as 'Nishane' and 'Naufat' pachyderms behind. In normal times, the victory procession is staged from the palace in the city centre to Bannimantap grounds through the 5 km route for the torchlight parade in the night as a culmination of the grand finale, watched by lakhs of people, including visitors and tourists from across the country and overseas. The royal Wodiyar family, including titular head Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja, queen mother Pramoda Devi, who adopted him as the scion, and princess Trishkiha Kumari will be among the 300 dignitaries who will witness the grand finale in the palace grounds. As Mysuru registered second highest number (46,705) of positive cases after Bengaluru (3,25,773) in Karnataka, whose COVID-19 tally crossed 8 lakh on Saturday, the state-sponsored Dasara celebrations have been kept low-key to avoid large gatherings and crowding in public places. As a legacy of the Wodiyar dynasty since 1610 when its ruler Raja Wodiyar began, the Dasara festival is celebrated every year by the state government as Nada Habba (state festival). "The finale will be telecast live in the local channels and streamed in the social media like Youtube and Facebook for the people to watch from their homes safely," said the official. The 10-day fest began in the Chamundeshwari temple on October 17 atop the hill on the city's outskirts, with Bengaluru-based Jayadeva heart hospital director C N Manjunath inaugurating it in the presence of the Chief Minister and other dignitaries by invoking the deity for blessings. Owing to the restrictions, traditional and cultural events during the 10-day fiesta like children's Dasara, women's Dasara, film festival, exhibition, food fest and folk dances and music and wrestling bouts were cancelled this time.

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Siddaramaiah demands special Assembly session to discuss Karnataka flood situation

Politics

The Leader of Opposition alleged that the people of the state were facing havoc due to rain, the COVID-19 pandemic and alleged corruption in the BJP-led government.

TNM Staff

Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah on Sunday called for a special Assembly session to discuss the flood situation in Karnataka, a state troubled by floods thrice in the last three months. In a series of tweets, the Leader of Opposition alleged that it was a triple whammy for the people of the state, who are facing havoc due to the rain, COVID-19 pandemic and alleged corruption in the BJP-led government. "Farmers are miserable due to floods during the last few months. They have lost their houses and cattle. The Chief Minister of Karnataka should immediately convene an Assembly session to discuss the same," Siddaramaiah said in a series of tweets. Farmers are under miserable conditions due to floods during last few months. They have lost their houses and cattle.@CMofKarnataka should immediately convene assembly session to discuss about the same. 1/6 — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) October 25, 2020 Noting that the people of the state were already suffering due to floods and the pandemic, the former CM said that they also have to bear the brunt of alleged corrupt practices of the Karnataka BJP. In this regard, he said the Assembly would be an appropriate forum to discuss all these issues. Approximately 6.5 lakh acres of crops have been damaged and more than 1,700 houses have been destroyed, he claimed. Accusing the state and the Union governments of not giving compensation to the flood-affected people, Siddaramaiah said that the farmers cannot get their due share if the Union government's guidelines were followed. The Congress leader also claimed that the victims of last year's deluge have not yet received compensation.  This is the third time floods have hit the northern parts of Karnataka in the last three months. The government has said that 136 villages have been badly affected, while 247 are in a vulnerable condition. As many as 43,158 people were evacuated to safety while about 38,000 people were staying in the 205 relief camps. Floods have ravaged parts of north Karnataka and has also affected coastal and south interior Karnataka including Bengaluru city. Heavy rains and overflowing stormwater drains led to flooding in Bengaluru's HBR Layout and Horamavu on September 9 while areas in the southern part of the city including Basavanagudi and Hosakerehalli were flooded on October 23. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said that the most recent deluge led to the flooding of around 650 houses and a compensation of Rs 25,000 was announced for those affected by the floods.

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Wife of martyred soldier, harassed and intimidated by Karnataka Congress politician

Crime

The panchayat member of Hasigala village in Bengaluru Rural allegedly threatened to kill her employees after an altercation about fuel.

Theja Ram

Bengaluru Rural Police

The family of a martyred soldier, late Colonel Jojan Thomas, who died fighting in Jammu and Kashmir, was harassed and threatened by a panchayat member in Bengaluru rural on Friday. Manjunath Gowda, a member of the Hasigala gram panchayat located in Bengaluru Rural, allegedly hired goons, who assaulted and threatened employees of a petrol pump owned by the late Col Jojan Thomas’ wife. Manjunath Gowda was arrested on Saturday and booked for attempt to murder, assault and criminal intimidation.  On October 23, Manjunath Gowda, who bought a new mini lorry, took his vehicle to the petrol pump. “He filled up the tank of his mini lorry. It was 186 litres in total. He began arguing that his fuel tank capacity is 180 litres only,” Beena Thomas, owner of the petrol pump, told TNM.  I am daughter of Late Col Jojan Thomas, AC. My father laid down his life serving this nation on 22/08/08 fighting terrorists at Machchal Sector (Kupwara). He came home wrapped in the tricolour.@DgpKarnataka @PoliceBangalore @CMofKarnataka @adgpi pic.twitter.com/dyf7RIJmW1 — Meghana Thomas (@strubewie) October 24, 2020 Beena said that Manjunath Gowda hurled accusations at the petrol pump manager Sajish that he was being duped. Manjunath Gowda allegedly called 15-20 of his supporters to the petrol pump, who allegedly assaulted Sajish, the supervisor and two other employees. “They beat my manager. They were not letting my employees out of the petrol station. They got two big trucks and parked it at the entrance and exit (of the petrol pump),” Beena said. Manjunath Gowda allegedly disconnected the CCTV footage and also shut off electricity at the petrol pump.  Manjunath Gowda allegedly began telling customers, who were arriving at the station that Beena Thomas and the employees of the petrol pump were duping customers. “I was going to Kerala and had to return to Hasigala when my manager told me what was happening. Manjunath told customers that we were stealing money,” she added. Screeshot from the CCTV footage of Manjunath Gowda's men assaulting the petrol pump staff  When Beena reached the petrol station on the evening of October 23, Manjunath Gowda allegedly “disregarded her late husband’s contribution to the country” and threatened to vandalise late Col Jojan Thomas’ statue, located in Hasigala. “He said, ‘We will break the statue.’ My husband was awarded the Ashoka Chakra for his service. Manjunath Gowda said, ‘what is Ashok Chakra? It's like the wheel of a car’ Beena alleged.  Late Col Jojan Thomas, was martyred in Machchal Sector in Kupwara on August 22, 2008. As a tribute to his service, the Karnataka government had installed his statue in Hasigala village and given Beena Thomas ownership of the petrol station four years ago.  HPCL officials and weight n measures dept came and did a detailed chk and found the quantity and quality at par with the required measure. Mr Manjunatha and the lcl goons have not only tried to defame my mother but also caused a lot of mental harrassment to her. @DgpKarnataka pic.twitter.com/azAvE7fA3B — Meghana Thomas (@strubewie) October 24, 2020 On Saturday, Meghana Thomas, Beena’s daughter tweeted to the Director General and Inspector General of Police Praveen Sood, about the incident. She stated that Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd and the officials of the Department of Weights and Measures conducted an inspection and found that the quantity and quality of the fuel was at par and that the petrol station’s fuel dispensers were not rigged.  “Mr Manjunath and his goons have not only tried to defame my mother but also caused a lot of mental harassment to her,” her tweet reads. The Sulibele police in Bengaluru Rural district arrested Manjunath Gowda on Saturday evening and produced him before the local magistrate. He was sent to judicial custody. And FIR has been registered against Manjunath Gowda and others at the Sulibele Police Station under sections 307 (attempt to murder),341 (wrongful restraint), 448 (tresspass), 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and 506 (criminial intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. 

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Karnataka yet to decide if COVID-19 vaccine will be free for all in state

COVID-19

Clamour to make the vaccine available free for all in the state gathered momentum after BJP's manifesto for the Bihar assembly elections.

IANS

Representational image

The BJP-ruled Karnataka government would soon decide on providing a free vaccine to treat the novel coronavirus, Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan said on Sunday. "A meeting has been convened here after Dasara to decide on the free distribution of vaccine to treat the Covid pandemic, as and when the central government makes it available for the state," the Dy CM said. On the Centre's directive last week, the state government has already decided to give the vaccine free first to its healthcare warriors, including doctors, nurses, paramedics and their associates who have been treating patients across the state since mid-March when the pandemic broke. "As COVID-19 patients are already being tested and treated free in state-run hospitals, they will be administered the vaccine free of charge. The Chief Minister will decide on giving it free for all," reiterated Narayan. Clamour for making the vaccine available free for all in the state gathered momentum after the BJP's manifesto for the Bihar assembly elections from October 28 promised to provide it free to the people in the northern state. Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah also urged the state government to declare a free vaccine to the people across the state as the ruling party has promised in its poll manifesto in Bihar. "As the BJP has made providing vaccine free an election issue in Bihar, its government in the state should also declare it free for the Karnataka people," asserted Siddaramaiah in Kannada. As Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, the Congress said she should extend the benefit to the people in the southern state. "Of the 28 Lok Sabha members from the state, as 25 are from the ruling BJP, they should ensure that vaccine to treat COVID-19 is made available free to our people too," said Siddaramaiah. At least three vaccine candidates are at the advance stage of trials for treating the virus, which infected over 78 lakh people, and claimed lives of 1.8-lakh people across the country, while 6.77-lakh are under treatment across the state and over 71-lakh people have recovered. In Karnataka, 7,98,378 tested positive, including 86,749 under treatment till date, while 7,00,737 recovered and 10,873 succumbed to the infection so far.

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Bengaluru only Indian city to see rise in road accidents, deaths in 2019

Accidents

Bengaluru remained in the third spot across India as far as road accidents go.

Soumya Chatterjee

Representational image/PTI

While all major cities in India saw a reduction in traffic accidents and related deaths in 2019, Bengaluru is the only city to report an increase in such incidents and related casualties last year compared to 2018. These are one of the findings of the ‘Road Accidents in India 2019’ report recently released by the Union government. The report notes that while Bengaluru had recorded 4611 road accidents in 2018, the number had jumped to 4,684 in 2019. Similarly, the increase in numbers can be noted in terms of fatalities and injuries related to these accidents for the Garden City. The number of persons who lost their lives due to road accidents in Bengaluru rose by 82 in 2019 with 768 deaths compared to 686 such deaths reported in 2018. The number of injured persons related to road accidents which was 4129 in 2018, rose to 4,250 in 2019. At the same time, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata, the other bigger metropolises in the country reported lesser number of accidents than in 2018. While Chennai reported 7,580 road accidents in 2018, it reported 6,871 deaths in 2019. The less number of accidents also reflected in the number of lives lost due to road accidents. Chennai saw a reduction of eight deaths with 1252 deaths road crash related fatalities in 2019. The number of injured also reduced to 6702 in 2019 from 7,438 in 2018. Similarly, Delhi which saw 6,515 accidents in 2018, saw the number of road accidents in 2019 to reduce to 5,610. The number of road deaths in 2019 also reduced to 1,463 compared to 1,690 to that of 2018. The number of injuries also saw a similar trend with 5152 persons injured compared to 6,086 persons injured in 2018. The same trend can be observed in Mumbai and Kolkata too. Although Bengaluru saw an increase in the number of accidents and related fatalities, it remained in the top three worst cities for road accidents. Chennai and Delhi retained the position of two worst cities. This despite both Chennai and Delhi reporting a decrease of accidents by 9.4% and 13.9% respectively. Least number of drunk driving deaths Among other findings, Bengaluru reported the least number of deaths as a result of drunken driving. Only seven such deaths were reported in the city while Chennai and Delhi reported 49 and 45 such deaths respectively.

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