Karnataka adds 1,565 new COVID-19 cases, 21 deaths
Bengaluru: Karnataka reported 1,565 fresh COVID-19 cases as the overall tally reached 8,61,647 while 21 deaths pushed the toll to 1,529, the Health Department said on Sunday.
The state continued to show a sharp decline in the COVID-19 cases and fatalities from over 10,700 cases and above 200 deaths a day two months ago to mere 1,500-odd cases and 21 deaths now.
According to the Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar, the COVID-19 recovery and mortality rates were 95.50 percent and 1.33 percent respectively.
The total infections comprise 8,22,953 discharges cumulatively including 2,363 on Sunday and 27,146 active cases including 746 in ICUs, a bulletin issued by the department said.
More than 50 percent of the infections in the state were contributed by Bengaluru with 840 cases whereas there were six deaths in the city.
Cumulatively, the city has reported 3,57,280 infections, 4,003 deaths, 3,35,105 discharges, including 847 on Sunday, and 18,171 active cases.
Only Bengaluru showed the infections in three digits while the rest others were either in single-digit or double digits.
There was a welcome trend of zero fatalities in 18 districts of the state including Kalaburagi where the first death due to coronavirus took place in the country.
According to the bulletin, 79 fresh infections were reported in Tumakuru, followed by 71 in Mysuru, 52 in Chitradurga, 47 in Belagavi, 46 in Mandya, and 45 in Uttara Kannada.
Bagalkote, Ballari, Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapura, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Davangere, Dharwad, Hassan, Kalaburagi, Kodagu, Raichur, and Shivamogga were also among the districts where cases were reported.
The health bulletin showed that there were three deaths in Mysuru and two deaths each in Ballari and Dakshina Kannada.
One death each due to coronavirus was reported in Bagalkote, Davangere, Dharwad, Hassan, Haveri, Tumakuru, Uttara Kannada, and Vijayapura.
As many as 99,606 tests were done on Sunday including 82,531 using the RT-PCR and other methods taking the total tests done so far to 94.92 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.
