COVID-19: 428 new cases in Karnataka, 3 deaths
Bengaluru, Jan 27: Karnataka on Wednesday reported 428 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 9,37,383 and the death toll to 12,207, the Health department said.
The day also saw 760 patients getting discharged after recovery.
A total of over 1,67,50,398 samples have been tested so far, out of which 58,695 were tested on Wednesday alone, and 2,937 among them were rapid antigen tests.
Out of the 428 fresh cases reported, 227 cases were from Bengaluru Urban alone.
As of January 27 evening, cumulatively 9,37,383 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 12,207 deaths and 9,18,859 discharges, a department bulletin said.
According to the bulletin, out of 6,298 active cases, 6,151 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and stable, while 147 are in ICU.
Out of the 3 deaths reported, one each are from Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural and Dharwad.
Among the districts where the new cases were reported, Bengaluru Urban accounted for 227, Mysuru 17, Dharwad 16, Hassan 15, Dakshina Kannada, Davangere, Kodagu and Uttara Kannada 14, Chitradurga 13, followed by others.
Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 3,97,836, followed by Mysuru 53,299 and Ballari 39,129.
Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban tops the list with 3,89,440, followed by Mysuru 52,054 and Ballari 38,474.
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.
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.
ALSO READ: Chinese GPS tracker found on seagull near Karwar Coast
"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.
