From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 29: The continuing surge in the Covid positive cases in the state, particularly Bengaluru, is a matter of serious concern and yet there will not be any kind of lockdown, declared chief minister B S Yediyurappa in Bengaluru on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after a high-level meeting to review the Covid situation in Bengaluru and the state at his home office of Krishna, the chief minister said the positivity rate in the city has more than doubled from 0.94% in February to a high of 1.94% during March in Bengaluru, which is a matter of serious concern.

However, Yediyurappa clarified that there will not be any kind of lockdown even though Maharashtra had resorted to the measure in some parts as well as restrictions have been enforced in other States as well.

The chief minister said the state government has decided to prevent any kind of protests or dharnas in the city during the next 15 days and also directed the officials to strictly enforce the Covid guidelines of compulsory wearing of masks, maintaining social distance and sanitation.

"Covid cases are spiking in Bengaluru at an alarming rate, which is a cause of concern,’’ the chief minister said

The daily average cases have touched around 1,377 with as many as 16,921 positive cases in the last 14 days.

The 3T formula of Tracing, Testing and Treatment is being strengthened, he said announcing that the state government will be writing to the Centre to allow all teachers to be vaccinated.

The chief minister said infections were reported more in the age group of 20 to 40 years while the mortality rate was low. The cases of deaths are more in the age group of people from 60 years and above.

Those arriving from Kerala and Maharashtra have to compulsorily produce RT-PCR Covid negative certificates, Yediyurappa said urging people to follow the direction strictly.

Stringent steps are being taken to trace, test and treatment of the affected. Up to 60,000 tests are being done in Bengaluru city. Sufficient facilities are being provided to treat the infected, without affecting non-Covid patients, he said.

Appealing all eligible people to get themselves vaccinated in order to help prevent the spread of the Covid pandemic and check its spread, the chief minister said as many as 6.61 lac persons have been vaccinated in the city.

In order to contain the disease, the chief minister also appealed to the public to observe proper Covid restrictions and avoid crowding. Otherwise, it becomes extremely difficult to bring the situation under control.

The chief minister said more than 90% above the prescribed target of RT-PCR tests were being done in the city.

The state government has asked the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to open 100 Covid Care Centres each in HAL and Haj Bhavans. A 250-bed Covid Care Centre is being readied at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium from April 5. Steps are also being taken to reserve 1,166 beds in the government hospitals in Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts.

Private hospitals have been asked to extend full cooperation and be prepared to provide more beds for the treatment of Covid patients, Yediyurappa said.

The chief minister made it clear that there was no paucity of funds for Covid management. The state government has already released Rs 150 crore and additional grants will be provided if necessary, he said.

Health and family welfare minister Dr K Sudhakar, who is also the minister of medical education, revenue minister R Ashok, primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar, excise minister Gopalaiah, chief secretary P Ravi Kumar, BDA chairman S R Vishwanath and other senior officials attended the meeting.