From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jun 9: Health and medical education minister, Dr K Sudhakar on Wednesday indicated that Karnataka may go in for a staggered unlock after the end of the present lockdown restrictions from June 14 as otherwise, it might lead to a sudden surge across the state.
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, he said the chief minister will take a final decision on the course of the action to be taken after June 14.
"Some activities will be opened up and restrictions will continue on some activities. The advice of experts will be conveyed to the chief minister and he will take a final decision after discussion with senior ministers. As per experts' opinion, if positivity rate is less than 5% and the cases are less than 5,000 restrictions can be lifted,’’ he said.
Dr Sudhakar said there is no confusion regarding the lifting of restrictions in the state among the ministers. Other states like Maharashtra, have opened up only after a reduction in cases.
"If you compare with other states, the third wave has relatively subdued quickly in our state. Although it has been predicted that the next wave might impact children predominantly, there is no such evidence from other countries which have already undergone the third wave,’’ he said.
The minister explained that even AIIMS, Delhi director, Dr Randeep Guleria had said that there is no data, either from India or internationally to show that children will be seriously infected in any next wave of Covid-19. Nearly 60-70% of the children, who got infected and got admitted to hospitals during the second wave in India, had either co-morbidities or low immunity and healthy children recovered with mild illness without need for hospitalization.
However, the state government is ensuring preparedness to protect our children, he said.
As many as 2,281 cases of black fungus are reported in the state and 1,948 are getting treatment, of whom 102 people have already recovered, he said.
No question of protecting culprits
Regarding the KIMS issue, the minister said, "I had expressed my dissatisfaction about the functioning of KIMS when I had visited Hubballi last week. I had ordered for an enquiry and have been told that the report is ready. As soon as I get the report, I will look into the matter and initiate legal action. There is no question of protecting anybody.’’
"We are planning to install geofencing technology to ensure that doctors don't skip duty hours. I have also instructed all hospitals to install CCTV camera in all wards and ICU,’’ he added.
Herbalife India donated 150 oxygen concentrators to the Karnataka government as part of its CSR initiative. These were handed over to the minister on Wednesday by representatives of the company.