Karnataka logs 430 new COVID-19 cases, 7 fatalities
Bengaluru, Feb 11: Karnataka on Thursday reported 430 fresh COVID-19 cases and seven deaths, taking the caseload and toll to 9,44,057 and 12,251 respectively, the rpt the health department said.
The active cases stood at 5,958.
A health department bulletin said 340 patients were cured of the disease on Thursday, taking the number of recoveries to 9,25,829.
There were as many as 68,194 tests conducted today, including 64,596 using the RT-PCR and other methods, taking the total tests done so far to 1.78 crore, it said.
Bengaluru urban district reported 228 infections whereas all the fatalities took place in Bengaluru Urban (6) and Bengaluru rural district (1).
Cumulatively, the city has reported 4,01,323 infections, 4,417 deaths, 3,92,985 discharges, including 128 today, and 3,920 active cases.
No district in Karnataka, other than Bengaluru, crossed above 30 infections today, while 29 districts reported nil deaths.
According to the health bulletin, 28 fresh COVID-19 cases were reported in Dakshina Kannada, 25 in Mysuru, 18 in Tumakuru, 14 in Udupi, 13 in Chitradurga, 11 in Bengaluru Rural and 10 in Kalaburagi.
Cases were also reported in Belagavi, Ballari, Chikkaballapura, Davangere, Dharwad, Gadag, Hassan, Kolar, Kodagu, Mandya, and Uttar Kannada.
There were nil infection and zero fatality in Bagalkote, Bidar and Haveri whereas four districts reported only one infection and nil 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.
