Karnataka logs 550 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths
Bengaluru, Jan 28: Karnataka has reported 550 new cases of COVID-19 and 2 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 9,37,933 and the death toll to 12,209, the Health department said on Thursday.
The day also saw 644 patients getting discharged after recovery.
Out of the 550 fresh cases reported on Thursday, 311 cases were from Bengaluru Urban alone.
As of January 28 evening, cumulatively 9,37,933 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 12,209 deaths and 9,19,503 discharges, the Health department said in its bulletin.
It said, out of 6,202 active cases, 6,052 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable, while 150 are in ICU.
Out of the 2 deaths reported on Thursday, both were from Bengaluru Urban.
Among the districts where the new cases were reported, Bengaluru Urban accounted for 311, followed by Dakshina Kannada (34), Kodagu (22), Mysuru (19), Tumakuru (18), Kalaburagi (16) and Chikkaballapura and Chitradurga (15) among others.
Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 3,98,147, followed by Mysuru (53,318) and Ballari (39,131).
Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban tops the list with 3,89,829, followed by Mysuru (52,080) and Ballari (38,481).
A total of over 1,68,16,459 samples have been tested so far, out of which 66,061 were tested on Thursday alone, and 5,117 among them were rapid antigen tests.
Meanwhile, an estimated 44 per cent of designated beneficiaries earmarked for Thursday have been administered the COVID-19 vaccine in Karnataka, taking the total number of those vaccinated in the state so far to 2,84,385, the official data showed.
According to the data released by the office of the state Health Minister, out of 41,634 targeted beneficiaries for vaccination,18,230 was achieved till 8:30 PM on Thursday in 446 sessions held.
Cumulatively, the number of healthcare workers vaccinated against COVID-19 from January 16 till Thursday 8:30 PM stands at 2,84,385. It is against the targeted 5,42,041 beneficiaries, with a cumulative coverage of 52 per cent.
No major or severe AEFI (Adverse event following immunisation) cases reported across the state on Thursday, the department said.
The government has said that the health warriors who are in the forefront in the fight against coronavirus will be given priority, and people with comorbidity are the next priority.
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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.
