Karnataka reports 8,161 new COVID-19 cases, total discharges breach two lakh mark
Bengaluru: Karnataka on Tuesday reported a sharp spike of 8,161 new COVID-19 cases and 148 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 2,91,826 and the death toll to 4,958, the Health department said.
The day also saw 6,814 patients getting discharged after recovery, taking the total number of discharges so far past the two lakh mark.
Of the 8,161 fresh cases reported today, 2,294 cases were from Bengaluru Urban alone.
As of August 25 evening, cumulatively 2,91,826 COVID- 19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 4,958 deaths and 2,04,439 discharges, the Health department said in its bulletin.
It said, out of the 82,410 active cases, 81,659 patients are in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable, while 751 are in ICU.
As many as 61 of the 148 deaths reported on Tuesday were from Bengaluru Urban, followed by Mysuru (16), Dharwad (8), Ballari and Koppal (6), Davangere, Haveri and Shivamogga (5), Tumakuru and Vijayapura (4).
Most of the dead are either with a history of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) or Influenza-like illness (ILI).
Among the districts where the new cases were reported, Bengaluru Urban accounted for 2,294, followed by Mysuru 1,331 (backlog of 4 days), Ballari (551), Davangere (318), Belagavi (298), Shivamogga (276), Dakshina Kannada (247), Koppal (238) and Kalaburagi (227) among others.
Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 1,12,087 infections, followed by Ballari (18,536) and Mysuru (13,929).
Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban tops the list with a total of 74,901 followed by Ballari (12,748) and Mysuru (10,011).
A total of 25,13,555 samples were tested so far, out of which 59,787 were tested on Tuesday alone.
Among the samples tested today 24,587 were rapid antigen tests.
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TN govt reaffirms 21-yr age limit for liquor sales
Chennai (PTI): Seeking to curb rising alcohol consumption among minors in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has reinforced the legal age requirement of 21 for all liquor purchases and consumption.
The government has also ordered the closure of 717 liquor outlets across the state and warned of strict action against those who violate the new directives.
The state-owned Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the agency which holds a monopoly on sales of liquor, will be shutting 276 outlets near places of worship, 186 near educational institutions and 255 outlets near bus stations.
A senior TASMAC official on Thursday said that the staff at liquor shops have been instructed to check identity proof, including Aadhaar card, for all customers whose age is in question.
The official also said that the state government is considering a reduction in operational hours.
Currently, the liquor shops across the state operate from 12 noon to 10 pm.
"They are weighing a proposal to move the closing time to 8 pm," he added.
At present, the TASMAC operates a total of 4,765 liquor shops across the state. After the closure of 717 shops, it would come down to 4,048 outlets.
In 2025, the revenue from liquor sales stood at Rs 48,344 crore, which is the second highest after the registration department.
