CM Bommai directs districts bordering Kerala to take up special surveillance measures
Bengaluru, Jul 31: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday directed the administrations of districts bordering Kerala, that has seen a spurt in COVID-19 cases, to take up special surveillance measure, aimed at controlling the spread of the infection.
"There is a spurt in the number of COVID cases in Kerala in the last one week. It is a cause of worry. We have to take it very seriously.
The borders have to be monitored strictly. I have ordered senior officials- Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to take the responsibility," Bommai said.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting on the COVID situation in eight districts, especially those bordering Kerala and others where effects can be felt, on his arrival from Delhi, he said, Assistant Commissioners and DySPs should supervise every day, and District Health Officers (DHOs) should ensure health units for testing.
"Medical infrastructure has to be improved in these districts and vaccinations have to be increased....in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi the positivity rate has increased to 4-4.5 per cent in the last three to four days and is a cause of concern. So we will have to take measures to control it."
Senior government officials and Deputy Commissioners of Bengaluru Urban, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Chamarajanagara, Kodagu, Mysuru, Shivamogga and Udupi districts were present in the video conferencing.
Stating that he had spoken to the Union Health Minister today on increase in vaccination supply and that he has agreed to it, Bommai said with enough vaccines, the state would be able to control the spread of COVID.
Noting that all these days those having taken one dose of vaccine were allowed to cross the border with Kerala, he said from Sunday, only those with a certificate of having taken two doses will be allowed and they should have RT-PCR negative certificate not more than 72 hours old.
"Those travelling across the borders at places like in Dakshina Kannada, we had earlier said they should undergo RT- PCR test once in 14 days and have negative certificate. It has now been reduced to seven days. Also, random testing will be increased in check posts at the boarder areas," he said.
Instructions have been given on having oxygen plants and beds and strictly managing micro containment zones, tracking and tracing, he said, adding that COVID norms like social distancing and wearing masks should be strictly implemented.
Check posts will be set up in districts neighboring border districts also, double checks will be done on vehicles, especially those coming from Kerala.
Further, resorts and home stays while accepting bookings should check for RT-PCR negative certificate and vaccination certificates.
Bommai said similar measures will be put in place in districts bordering Maharashtra like Belagavi, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi and Bidar.
Stating that the current COVID measures (restrictions and permissions) are in place till August 2 as per the previous order, he said it will be extended for two more weeks and further decisions will be taken, based on the situation.
Noting that measures are being taken to control the infection among the children in the possible third wave, the Chief Minister said, 72 per cent of government school teachers have been vaccinated so far and instructions have been given to scale it up to 100 per cent in 15 days.
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
