Karnataka reports 3,130 fresh COVID-19 cases, 42 deaths
Bengaluru: With 3,130 fresh cases, Karnataka's COVID-19 tally shot up to 8,05,947 on Monday, while 42 more fatalities pushed the death toll due to the disease to 10,947 in the state, the health department said.
The total cases comprise 7,19,558 discharges, including 8,715 on Monday, and 75,423 active cases, including 942 in the ICU.
Buoyed by the tremendous reduction in the number of cases, Karnataka Health Minister Dr. K Sudhakar said the recoveries were more than the fresh infections for the 12th consecutive day in the state.
"With 8,715 recoveries and 3,130 cases, Karnataka witnessed more recoveries than new cases for the 12th consecutive day," he said in a tweet.
Sudhakar urged people to continue the fight against COVID-19 by wearing face masks, ensuring hand hygiene, and maintaining a physical distance.
About 50 percent of the cases and deaths in the state were contributed by Bengaluru Urban district with 1,603 fresh cases and 20 deaths on Monday.
Cumulatively, the city has reported 3,27,376 cases, 3,754 deaths, 2,74,397 discharges, including 4,031 on Monday and 49,224 active cases.
According to the health bulletin, 153 cases were reported in Dakshina Kannada district, 139 in Mysuru, 124 in Davangere, 98 in Hassan, 87 in Bengaluru Rural, 86 in Chitradurga, 75 in Kolar, 63 in Vijayapura, 57 in Tumakuru, 56 each in Chikkaballapura and Mandya and 51 in Bagalkote.
Ballari, Belagavi, Chikkamagaluru, Dharwad, Haveri, Kalaburagi, Kodagu, Koppal, Raichur, and Udupi were also among the districts that reported fresh coronavirus cases.
Cases were also reported in Bagalkote, Belagavi, Chitradurga, Dharwad, Mandya, Chikkaballapura, Chikkamagaluru, Davangere, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Uttara Kannada, and Vijayapura.
The health department said four COVID-19 deaths were reported from Dakshina Kannada, three from Dharwad, and two each from Ballari and Mysuru.
One death each was reported in Davangere, Hassan, Kodagu, Kolar, Mandya, Ramanagara, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, and Yadgir districts.
Most of those who died of coronavirus were above 50 years of age and had a severe acute respiratory illness or an influenza-like illness.
A total of 65,892 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the state on Monday, including 54,937 using the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method and other methods, taking the total number of tests done so far to 74.47 lakh, the department said.
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.
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.
