Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 4: On account of the spurt in corona-positive cases, Karnataka has acquired the third spot in the country. On Friday, April 2, the state government issued new guidelines that are applicable to eight districts including Udupi. The district is yet to come out of the grip of the second wave of coronavirus fully. The matter of worry for the district is that coronavirus positive cases are found more among the students.

The district witnessed 66 coronavirus positive cases on March 20. On the next day, 170 new cases surfaced all of a sudden. Out of them, 145 cases were of Manipal Institute of Technology students. The number of cases stood at 113 on March 22, 145 on March 25, and 210 on March 26. Even though there has been a declining trend in new infections for some time, experts believe that the district has not yet got rid of the second wave.

District Covid nodal officer, Dr Prashanth Bhat, says that even after several months since the schools and colleges began to function, and even though they were repeatedly advised, the students often are seen sitting close to each other and talking. They also do not use masks. Most of the cases are primary contacts. Finding 20 primary contacts for each case as per the department guidelines has become a challenge for the officials.

Over 95 per cent of people have no symptoms of the disease. This is dangerous as they move around and spread the infection. Every day about 2,300 samples are collected at Ajjarkad government hospital and KMC Hospital which has two centres. Other labs are accounting for only two per cent of cases. The rate of death due to Covid is 1.3 per cent from January to March, during which period, three lost their lives.

The situation can be improved a lot if the people use masks and sanitisers in public places, maintain social distance, stop moving around unless for important tasks and maintain hygiene.