Bengaluru, Jul 1 (IANS): Alarmed over the rising Covid cases in Karnataka, the opposition Congress has urged the state government to set up an all-party committee to monitor the fight against the pandemic spread.

"We urge Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to set up an all-party monitoring committee to examine the various measures taken to contain the coronavirus spread," said the party's state unit leader Siddaramaiah.

Levelling corruption charges in the treatment of the Covid patients against the state government, the former chief minister said the treatment protocol should be made clear to the patients to gain public confidence in the face of complaints of negligence.

"As Covid patients will be in despair, negligence during their treatment will demoralise them and cause agony to their families. The government should be sensitive to their concerns and welfare," asserted the opposition leader.

The party's state unit also sought insurance and other benefits to private hospitals, which agreed to provide 50 per cent of beds for treating the Covid patients and their doctors, nurses and paramedics.

"As the infection does not seem to go over the next 2-3 months, the problem of hunger will worsen if its spread is not contained and reduced. Several state-run hospitals are crowded and shortage of oxygen supply and ventilators is severe. As the treatment is expensive, patients are afraid of going to hospitals than the infection," asserted Siddaramaiah.