One more tests positive in Karnataka,total cases rise to 15
Bengaluru: A 35-year-old man from Kodagu, who had returned from Dubai, tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 15 in Karnataka, the state health department said.
Two out of 15 patients, who were undergoing treatment and have recovered will be discharged on Friday, Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar said.
According to the bulletin issued by the health department, till date 15 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Karnataka including one death.
It said 14 COVID-19 positive patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable.
The patient who tested positive on Thursday is from Kodagu and had returned from Dubai on March 15 to Kempegowda international Airport here and travelled to Kodagu by bus the same day.
He was admitted to the designated hospital at Kodagu on March 17 and samples collected the same day, the department said.
As per the bulletin, total samples collected for testing were 1,143, and on Thursday alone 75 were collected.
A total of 915 samples reported negative, 46 on Thursday alone.
"One good news is two patients who had tested positive and were undergoing treatment at our hospitals, have completely recovered, they will be discharged tomorrow.
They have fully recovered, as per protocol within 24 hours a patient will be tested twice, if results are negative both times, they can be discharged," the minister said.
Calling it a good sign, he further said people should understand that COVID-19 infection does not mean death, those infected can recover and go home.
"There is no need to panic..but precaution is necessary," he said.
Referring to some pubs still functioning despite instructions that these centres should remain shut, the minister said they should down shutters or else action will be taken in accordance with law and may even lose license.
"Home Minister and Excise Minister have been requested to ask officials to act on those who are not following the directives," he said.
Sudhakar also said religious leaders and organisations have been requested to bar pilgrims or people from visiting religious places, where large number gather.
Noting that marriages and functions with large number of people in attendance are still taking place, he appealed to the public to postpone such events or in case of unavoidable situation, restrict the number to 100-150 people.
Also, public have been advised to visit government offices, only if necessary, he added.
At Kalaburagi, where the country's first coronavirus death was reported on March 10, the district administration has clamped prohibitory orders under section 144of the CrPC that bars assembly of more than four people.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
President Donald Trump to feature on limited edition US passports
Washington (PTI): The State Department is all set to unveil a limited-edition US passport with pictures of President Donald Trump and the Founding Fathers to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence in July.
The special passports will be available only to those who show up in person at the Washington Passport Agency and not anywhere else across the country.
The Department of State shared images of the limited edition passports on its social media accounts.
One page of the passport carries Trump's image surrounded by the text of the Declaration of Independence and the American flag along with the president's signature in gold.
Another page features the famous painting of the founding fathers at the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The passports, which are set to be released this summer, are part of the Trump administration’s broader "America250" celebration, which also includes a Grand Prix race on the National Mall in August and a UFC fight on the White House South Lawn in June.
"As the United States celebrates America's 250th anniversary in July, @StateDept is preparing to release a limited number of specially designed US Passports to commemorate this historic occasion,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a post on X.
A State Department official told Fox News Digital that the new designs will be available for "any American citizen" who applies for a passport when the rollout happens and will continue for as long as there is availability.
“These passports will feature customised artwork and enhanced imagery while maintaining the same security features that make the US Passport the most secure documents in the world,” Pigott said in a statement.
In October, the Department of Treasury proposed minting a one dollar coin featuring Trump’s image on it, to mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence.
According to draft images confirmed as real by US Treasurer Brandon Beach, one side of the coin would feature Trump’s profile, along with the words “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776-2026.”
The other side of the coin would feature Trump standing with a clenched right fist in front of an American flag and the words “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT” — a reference to his chant after the 2024 assassination attempt at his campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
