7,385 new COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, 102 deaths
Bengaluru: Karnataka on Thursday reported 7,385 new cases of COVID-19 and 102 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 2,56,975 and the death toll to 4,429, the health department said.
The day also saw 6,231 patients getting discharged after recovery. Out of 7,385 fresh cases reported on Thursday, 2,912 cases were from Bengaluru urban alone.
As of August 20 evening, cumulatively 2,56,975 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 4,429 deaths and 1,70,381 discharges, the health department said in its bulletin.
It said, out of 82,149 active cases, 81,444 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and stable, while 705 are in ICU.
According to the bulletin, 25 out of 102 deaths reported today are from Bengaluru urban, followed by Ballari (8), Hassan and Koppal (7), Dakshina Kannada (6), Davangere (5), Belagavi, Haveri, Kalaburagi, Shivamogga, Vijayapura and Yadgir (4), Chikkaballapura, Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada (3), Chamrajanagara, Kodagu, Raichur and Udupi (2), and Gadag, Kolar and Tumakuru (1).
Most of the dead are either with a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) or Influenza-like illness (ILI).
Among the districts where the new cases were reported, Bengaluru urban accounted for 2,912, Ballari 483, Belagavi 358, Udupi 351, Mysuru 253, Davangere 245, Kalaburagi 210, followed by others.
Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 99,822 infections, followed by Ballari 16,200 and Mysuru 12,304.
Among discharges too Bengaluru urban tops the list with total of 64,022 discharges, followed by Ballari 10,072 and Kalaburagi 7,554.
According to the bulletin, a total of 22,56,862 samples have been tested so far, out of which 59,602 were tested on Thursday alone. Among the samples tested today 25,989 were rapid antigen tests.
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Discoms urge Delhiites to switch off non essential lighting during Earth Hour on Saturday
New Delhi (PTI): City power discoms have urged Delhiites to participate in Earth Hour on Saturday by turning off non-essential electrical appliances between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm to promote a sustainable environment.
BSES discoms BRPL and BYPL have joined the event promoted by WWF-India.
This year's initiative is themed "Give an Hour for Earth," calling on citizens to dedicate one hour to the planet and inspire lasting change.
"As a proud partner of WWF-India, BSES has urged its around 54 lakh consumers and 2.25 crore residents across South, West, East and Central Delhi to participate in this global movement," the discom said in a statement.
Last year, Delhi saved 269 MW during Earth Hour.
From homes and markets to offices and public spaces, the city will unite in turning off non-essential lights and appliances during this hour in a collective act that emphasises a shared commitment to sustainability.
Earth Hour 2026 also marks two decades of a movement that has grown from a symbolic switch-off in Sydney in 2007 into a defining global call for climate action across more than 190 countries.
BSES plans to switch off non-essential lighting in over 400 offices covering approximately 900 square kilometres during the designated hour.
The discoms are using social media, SMS, and email to reach out to people for wider participation in the initiative.
In a statement, the Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) said that it has reached out to resident welfare associations (RWAs) and other consumers to spread awareness about Earth Hour. The discom has also approached students and teachers across 150 schools, as well as residents of 218 slum clusters in the city.
