Karnataka minister indicates tough measures after July 7 to control COVID spread
Bengaluru: Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka on Monday indicated that more stringent rules are likely to be put in place after July 7 to control the spread of COVID-19 in the city and other parts of the state, amid a spike in cases.
According to reports, the government was waiting for SSLC (class 10) exams to end on July 4 to take some stringent measures to control the infections.
"For everything, I think you will have to wait till July 7 in the interest of the children.
After July 7 Chief Minister will take the decision to bring in several changes," Ashoka said in response to a question about imposing restrictions like on inter-state travel, among others, amid an increase in cases.
The minister, who is also in-charge of COVID management in Bengaluru, said according to reports from experts in July and August cases will increase the world over, in India and similarly in the state and Bengaluru also, and in this regard, precautionary measures will be taken.
Following the recent spike in cases, there was speculation last week that the government may reimpose lockdown and few ministers had even indicated about this, but the government subsequently ruled out any such measure stating that improving the state's economy and carrying out developmental activities were equally important.
Karnataka on Sunday recorded a biggest single-day spike of over 1,200 new COVID-19 cases and 16 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections in the state to 13,190 and the death toll to 207.
Out of 1,267 fresh cases reported in the state yesterday, 783 cases were from Bengaluru urban alone.
The city also tops the list of districts with positive cases in the state, with 3,314 infections.
Ashoka said he has visited dedicated COVID hospitals in the city, including Victoria Hospital, and has requested the Doctors and medical staff there to be mentally prepared to continue to work in the same way they are doing now for about six more months.
He said the challenge before the government is making beds available for an increasing number of patients and providing them treatment.
"All necessary measures are being taken in this regard."
In response to a question, he said both the spread of the virus and an increase in testing have led to a surge in the number of cases getting reported.
Noting that till now private testing centres used to directly inform the patients in case one tests positive, Ashoka said directions have been given asking them to first upload the information on BBMP (city civic body) and ICMR portals and the authorities will inform the patients along with instructions about what they should be doing next.
"This is to ensure that patients don't panic and don't directly come to hospitals...health officers at ward level on getting the information will go to the patient, check whether they are symptomatic or not.
If symptomatic, they will be sent to a designated hospital and those asymptomatic will be sent to COVID Care Centres," he said.
This will also ensure that there is no delay or hassle for patients during the process, he added.
Noting that there are complaints about doctors at dedicated hospitals not visiting patients regularly and it is difficult to track with all staff there wearing PPE kits, Ashoka said: "We have given instructions for doctors and staff to wear stickers and to maintain duty register."
He also said, beds are being numbered at COVID wards and will be linked to the patient number, so it can be identified easily whenever they are vacant and new patients can be assigned to it easily.
Pointing out that staff working at hospitals like lift operators, ambulance drivers, cleaning staff are working with apprehensions and some are even applying for leave, Ashoka said he has spoken to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary to incentivize them in some way by increasing payment and encourage them to continue with the work.
"It has also come to my notice about the quality of food being provided to patients at some hospitals," he said, adding, measures will be taken to provide quality food.
About 85 assistant doctors will be appointed on contract basis in BBMP limits in about three days and all are AYUSH and dental doctors and will work under the supervision of senior doctors, the minister said.
A meeting of BBMP corporators belonging to all political parties will be called soon, Ashoka said.
Keeping social distancing in mind, the meeting will be called in three batches, regarding managing the sealed areas in their wards.
In every ward, NGOs will be identified and they will be tasked with assisting in sealing activities, shifting of patients to hospitals, and creating awareness, among other things, he said.
The minister said out of Rs 742 crore SDRF (State disaster response fund) with the department, Rs 380 crore has been released for COVID management, which includes- Rs 232 crore released to Deputy Commissioners of districts, Rs 70 crore for the health department, Rs 50 crore for BBMP, Rs 12 crore for Home Department.
A sum of Rs 362 crore is still available with the department, he added.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
