States must not get overawed by increase in daily positive COVID-19 cases: Health Ministry
New Delhi: The Health Ministry on Tuesday said states should not get overawed by a "mere increase" in daily positive cases of COVID-19 and should keep pursuing the policy of aggressive testing, comprehensive tracing and tracking and efficient treatment of cases.
Addressing a press briefing, Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said the active cases of COVID-19, which comprised 88.83 per cent of the total caseload on March 31, have reduced to 28.21 per cent as on date.
"Of the total active cases of COVID-19, less than 1 per cent of patients are on ventilator, less than 3 per cent of the people are on oxygen support and less than 4 per cent of the people are in ICU," he said.
"We should not lose sight of the bigger picture that is why we say that mere increase in daily positive cases must not overawe the states. They must keep on pursuing the policy of aggressive testing, comprehensive tracing and tracking and efficient treatment," he added.
He said the COVID-19 case fatality rate fell below 2 per cent and presently stands at 1.99 per cent, the lowest since the first lockdown, and is declining. The national recovery rate has risen to 69.80 per cent due to effective and prompt clinical management of COVID-19 cases.
"A total of 2.5 crore tests have been conducted and the number of recovered patients has crossed the 15 lakh mark," he said.
Giving figures on tests being conducted, Bhushan said India's tests per day per million population stands at 506.
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No proposal to hike bus fares in Karnataka, says Ramalinga Reddy
Bengaluru: Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has said there is no proposal at present to increase bus fares in the state, even if diesel prices go up.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Reddy said he was not aware of any decision to raise diesel prices and added that it would be welcome if no such hike takes place.
He said that although an increase in diesel prices would add to the financial burden of state-run transport corporations such as Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, no discussion has been held so far regarding a revision in passenger fares.
Commenting on the recent salary revision for transport corporation employees, the minister said the government had already conveyed its decision and declined to comment on reports that some employees were dissatisfied with the announcement.
On the delay in holding elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority, Reddy said it was natural for aspirants to feel disappointed and acknowledged that the postponement was also increasing pressure on party leaders.
He said Bengaluru’s infrastructure development since 1947 had seen substantial progress during Congress governments, but added that questions regarding the reasons for postponing the elections should be addressed to Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.
Reddy also said he had no information regarding any power-sharing arrangement within the government, but was aware of discussions on a cabinet reshuffle.
He noted that he had travelled to New Delhi only three times in the past three years and said it would be good if the cabinet expansion takes place soon.
According to him, there had been indications that the expansion would occur after two and a half years in office, but it has already been delayed by six months.
