7,665 new COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, 139 deaths
Bengaluru: Karnataka on Tuesday reported 7,665 new cases of COVID-19 and 139 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 2,40,948 and death toll to 4,201, the health department said.
The day also saw recoveries overtaking the number of new positive cases, with 8,387 patients getting discharged.
Of the fresh cases reported today, 2,242 cases were from Bengaluru urban alone.
As of August 18 evening, cumulatively 2,40,948 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which include 4,201 deaths and 1,56,949 discharges, the health department said in its bulletin.
Of 79,782 active cases, 79,085 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and stable, while 697 are in ICU.
The bulletin said 49 out of 139 deaths reported on Tuesday are from Bengaluru urban, followed by Dharwad (10), Ballari and Dakshina Kannada (9), Bidar (8), Belagavi and Hassan (7), Mysuru (6), Raichur and Tumkur (4);
Bengaluru Rural, Haveri, Shivamogga, Vijayapura and Yadgir (3), Gadag, Kalaburagi and Mandya (2), and Bagalkote, Chamarajanagara, Davangere, Koppal and Uttara Kannada (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 2,242, Ballari 673, Udupi 421, Belagavi 395, Mysuru 357, Davangere 332, followed by other districts.
Bengaluru urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 94,106 infections, followed by Ballari 15,180 and Mysuru 11,489.
Among discharges too Bengaluru urban tops the list with total of 59,492 discharges, followed by Ballari 9,054 and Kalaburagi 7,131.
A total of 21,34,174 samples were tested so far, of which 59,088 were tested on Tuesday alone.
Among the samples tested today 28,867 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.
