From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, May 31: The experts of the Covid Technical Advisory Committee have already submitted their report on the steps to be taken for the next one month to chief minister B S Yediyurappa, which will be discussed at the high-level meeting convened on Tuesday, health and medical education minister Dr K Sudhakar said on Monday.
He was speaking to reporters after distributing the food kits arranged by Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation at Soolakunte village of Avalagurki gram panchayat of Chikkaballapur district.
The Covid Technical Advisory Committee has given its recommendations on the measures to be followed during the next 15 days to one month based on expert advice. The report will be discussed at the meeting of the senior cabinet ministers on Tuesday by the chief minister before a final decision on the lockdown situation and the further steps necessary will be announced, the minister said.
Dr Sudhakar mentioned that the strict lockdown restrictions imposed by the state government have already succeeded in bringing down the infection rate from a high of 45 to 50% to around 15 to 17%. Even if the infection rate is still brought down, it is not possible and advisable to be complacent as it will lead to a further surge in the second wave, he said.
1250 black fungus cases in state
The health minister said 1,250 cases of black fungus infection have been reported in the state.
Arrangements to provide free medical treatment to the black fungus-infected persons have been made, he said pointing out that the state government was in constant touch with the union pharmaceuticals and fertilisers minister D V Sadananda Gowda for securing sufficient quantities of medicine from the centre.
"We have impressed upon the union minister that Karnataka requires 8,000 to 10,000 vials of injections every day,’’ he said explaining that the use and dependency on oxygen have come down in the State.
Dr Sudhakar said the preliminary report of the expert committee on the causes for black fungus infection has suggested that those having diabetes with sugar level not under control or using more than necessary steroids were more likely to be affected. However, the final report is yet to be received, he said.
The minister appreciated the efforts of doctors in visiting villages to conduct tests and said doctors rushing to villages to conduct tests was very necessary in times of pandemic as at present.
Dr Sudhakar visited the Covid Care Centre established by the Chikkaballapur district administration at the Morarji Residential School campus in Kolamenahalli.
Later, he launched the Doctors visit to Villages programme at the Manchenahalli primary health centre in Gauribidanur taluk.