388 new COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, three deaths
Bengaluru, Feb 1: Karnataka logged 388 new COVID-19 cases and three related fatalities, taking the total infection count to 9,39,775 and the toll to 12,220, the Health department said on Monday.
The day also saw 470 patients getting discharged after recovery.
Bengaluru Urban continued to be on top in the number of fresh cases reported, with 201 infections.
Cumulatively 9,39,775 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 12,220 deaths and 9,21,592 discharges, the Health department said in a bulletin.
Of the 5,944 active cases, 5,799 patients are stable and in isolation at designated hospitals, while 145 are in Intensive Care Units.
Of the three deaths reported on Monday, Bengaluru Urban accounted for two and Dakshina Kannada one.
Tumakuru and Kodagu followed Bengaluru Urban in the number of new cases with 27 each, Dakshina Kannada had 16, Mysuru and Hassan 13 each Uttara Kannada 10, followed by others.
Bengaluru Urban district topped the list of positive cases with a total of 3,99,087, followed by Mysuru 53,448 and Ballari 39,147.
Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban was on top with 3,90,913, followed by Mysuru 52,211 and Ballari 38,510.
A total of over 1,70,87,246 samples have been tested so far, out of which 53,316 were tested on Monday alone.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
