COVID-19: Karnataka reports 324 fresh infections and three deaths; two more cases of serious AEFI
Bengaluru: Karnataka on Friday reported 324 fresh coronavirus cases and three deaths, taking the infection count to 9,34,576 and fatalities to 12,190. There were two incidents of Serious Adverse Events Following Immunisation (SAEFI), taking the total number to nine, a health department bulletin said. Health officials did not disclose the intensity of their adverse impact and their health updates.
On the vaccination programme, the health department said the targeted number of vaccination sessions of the day was achieved.However, against the targeted coverage of 81,519, 42,425 people were vaccinated, which is 52 per cent,it said.
Cumulatively, 1,77,022 people have been vaccinated against the target of 3,18,331, which is 56 per cent.
There were as many as 92,581 tests done on Friday including 85,347 using the RT-PCR and other methods taking the total tests done to 1.64 crore, the department said.
The day also saw 890 patients getting discharged after recovery. The caseload comprises 9,15,382 discharges and 6,985 active cases including 165 patients in the ICU.
Bengaluru urban district accounted for 160 fresh infections and two fatalities. Barring Bengaluru, no other city reported even 20 cases.
According to the health bulletin, 19 infections were reported in Mysuru, 18 in Tumakuru, 14 in Chikkaballapura and 12 each in Belagavi and Dakshina Kannada.
Apart from Bengaluru, one death has been reported in Dakshina Kannada while 28 districts reported zero fatalities.
Haveri, Koppal and Raichur reported zero deaths and zero fatalities due to COVID whereas Bidar, Ramanagara and Shivamogga reported one infection each and zero fatalities.
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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.
