Bengaluru, Jul 5 (IANS): In light of the rise in number of COVID-19 cases, the Karnataka government has arranged for nearly 5,000 beds in state-run and private hospitals across this tech city to treat coronavirus infected patients, state Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar said on Sunday.

"Around 4,958 beds have been reserved for treating the infected patients at 41 facilities, including state-run and private hospitals and Covid care centres across the city," said Sudhakar in a statement here.

With the city registering maximum positive cases in the southern state over the weeks for various reasons, the state government has made private hospitals spare 50 per cent of their beds for Covid patients.

"Responding to our call, 72 private hospitals across the city have earmarked 3,331 beds for Covid cases. After admitting 733 patients till Saturday, 2,598 beds are ready for admitting more cases," asserted Sudhakar.

In a related development, the City Civic Corporation has converted the sprawling Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) in the city's northwest suburb into a Covid care centre, with 10,100 beds for treating the infected.

"The Covid care centre with 10,100 beds is well ventilated and has sufficient bathrooms, toilets, nursing stations, kitchens and other required facilities for treating the patients," said Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner B.H. Anil Kumar here.

Kumar also visited the BIEC earlier in the day along with ruling BJP legislator S.R. Vishwanath for a spot assessment of the facilities for Covid patients.

"Those with breathing difficulty should call 108 for an ambulance and 1912 for information on availability of beds in their nearest hospital in the city for admission immediately," said Kumar.

Meanwhile, the state health department has set up four committees for contact detection, testing and community organisation of Covid care centres to contain the pandemic across the state, especially in the state capital.

"We are also setting up 14 task forces in each of the 30 districts across the state for surveillance and public safety health measures to contain the virus," said Sudhakar.

The Minister also appealed to the people to strictly observe the Sunday lockdowns by staying at home and maintain social distancing and wear mask when going out on the week days.

"Restraint and cooperation of the citizens is crucial in this fight against Covid. Follow the lockdown discipline by staying at home safe," added Sudhakar.

The state government has arranged more ambulances for rushing patients with Covid symptoms to the nearest designated hospital in cities and towns across the state.

A swab sample will be taken and a patient will be admitted to a Covid or non-Covid section of a hospital on the test result.

With a whopping 1,839 new Covid cases on Saturday, the southern state's positive cases shot up to 21,549, with 11,966 active after 9,244 were cured and discharged, including 439 on Saturday, while death toll increased to 335 across the state, with 42 since Friday.

Bengaluru accounted for 1,172 new cases, taking its tally of positive cases to 8,345 and active to 7,250 after 965 were discharged till date, including 195 during the day, while 129 died due to the virus since March 9.

According to the state health department data, the state has registered 15,242 Covid cases, including 4,555 in Bengaluru during June after unlock 1.0 began on June 1 from 3,221 cases, including 358 till May 31 till lockdown 4.0.

"The positive cases shot up to 21,549 till Saturday in four days from 15,242 on June 30 across the state and in Bengaluru to 8,345 from 4,555 on June 30," said the bulletin.