COVID-19: 902 new cases in Karnataka, 3 deaths
Bengaluru: Karnataka on Saturday logged 902 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 9,35,478 and the death toll to 12,193, the Health department said.
The day also saw 542 patients getting discharged after recovery.
A total of over 1,64,85,599 samples have been tested so far, out of which 86,410 were tested on Saturday alone, and 6,887 among them were rapid antigen tests.
Out of the 902 fresh cases, 527 cases were from Bengaluru Urban.
As of January 23 evening, cumulatively 9,35,478 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 12,193 deaths and 9,15,924 discharges, the Health department said.
According to the department bulletin, out of 7,342 active cases, 7,185 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and stable, while 157 are in ICU.
Out of the 3 deaths reported on Saturday, one each were from Bengaluru Urban, Kalaburagi and Tumakuru.
Among the districts where the new cases were reported, Bengaluru Urban accounted for 527, Mysuru 51, Kalaburagi 39, Dakshina Kannada 31, Tumakuru 24, followed by others.
Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 3,96,827, followed by Mysuru 53,202 and Ballari 39,115.
Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban tops the list with 3,87,600, followed by Mysuru 51,942 and Ballari 38,430.
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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.
