COVID-19: Karnataka reports 2,154 fresh infections,2,198 recoveries
Bengaluru: Karnataka on Saturday reported 2,154 fresh COVID-19 cases and 17 deaths, taking the infection count and toll to 8,60,082 and 11,508 respectively, the health department said.
The total infections comprise 8,20,590 discharges cumulatively including 2,198 today and 27,965 total active cases including 773 in the ICU, a department bulletin said.
Bengaluru Urban district accounted for 1,195 fresh cases and nine deaths.
Cumulatively, the city has reported 3,56,440 infections, 3,997 deaths, 3,34,258 discharges, including 771 today, and 18,184 active cases.
According to the health bulletin, 137 cases were reported in Mysuru, 103 in Hassan, 61 in Tuamkuru, 60 in Bengaluru Rural, and 51 in Belagavi.
Fresh COVID-19 cases were also reported in Bagalkote, Ballari, Chikkaballapura, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Bidar, Chamarajanagara, Davangere, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Vijayapura, and Yadgir.
According to the health department, two deaths each due to COVID were reported in Tumakuru and Ballari and one each in Dakshina Kannada, Dharwad, Hassan, and Mandya.
There were as many as 1.16 lakh tests done on Saturday including 89,226 using the RT-PCR and other methods, taking the total tests done so far to 93.92 lakh, the department added.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
