Karnataka reports eight new COVID-19 positive cases on Saturday; total number of affected now 215
Bengaluru: Eight new positive cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Karnataka, taking the total number of affected in the state to 215.
As of 5.00 PM on April 11, cumulatively 215 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state. This includes six deaths and 39 discharges," the health department said in a bulletin here on Saturday.
Of the 170 active cases, 166 patients (including a pregnant woman) are in isolation at designated hospitals and are stable, while four are in Intensive Care Units.
Briefing reporters about the bulletin, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Suresh Kumar said the Compounded Growth Rate of cases in the last five days showed that the all India average figure was 12.90 per cent, while it was 6.05 per cent in Karnataka.
"As per CGR, Karnataka stands at 19th place, while number of caseswise we are in 11th place," he added.
All the eight cases are contacts of patients who have already tested positive.
Among them, five are from Mysuru (contacts of a pharmaceutical company worker), two each from Bengaluru city, and one from Bidar.
Out of two from Bengaluru- one is a doctor while the other is a 10-year-old boy.
"The information that we have as of now the infected doctor was treating a patient who tuned out to be positive," Additional Chief Secretary Health and Family Welfare department Jawaid Akhtar said.
Contact tracing has been initiated and is in progress for all the cases, the department said.
Six of the total of 215 cases detected and confirmed in the state so far are transit passengers of Kerala who have landed in airports in Karnataka and are being treated in hospitals in the state.
From across the state, the most number of infections have been reported in Bengaluru with 73 cases, followed by Mysuru 47 and Dakshina Kannada 12.
Those discharged include 21 patients from Bengaluru, five from Dakshina Kannada, three from Davangere, two each from Mysuru, Uttara Kannada, Chikkaballapura and Kalaburagi, and one each from Dharwad and Kodagu.
Among the deceased are two from Kalaburagi and one each from Bengaluru, Bagalkote, Gadag and Tumakuru.
A total of 8,560 samples have been collected for testing so far, out of which 585 were collected on Saturday alone.
So far 8,231 samples have tested negative, of which 558 reported negative on Saturday alone.
To a question on whether Karnataka was conducting less number of tests compared to other states, ACS Akhtar said that targets are being set and tests done as per the union government and according to government of India and the Indian Council of Medical Research guidelines.
Stating that Karnataka was in fact sending more samples for testing, he said samples of all primary contacts were being sent for tests.
The government, he said, recently decided that all secondary contacts would also undergo tests.
"...we are fortunate that our (coronavirus) growth rate is not much, but we are taking target of more than that is set across the country and conducting tests," he added.
To a question on reports that the state government had submitted to the High Court that as per its projection, Karnataka would have 10,000 COVID-19 cases by April end and also a detailed plan in attending to such big numbers, Akhtar termed it as a misinterpretation of facts and said it should not have happened.
"A large number of questions were framed based on a PIL we submitted to court on how prepared we are for different activities....taking into account a worst possible scenario and projected the number of patients, keeping in view that scenario, preparations were detailed for it. Which was wrongly interpreted," he said.
Suresh Kumar said over 31,494 counselling sessions have been held for the migrant workers for ensuring their mental health.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi Capitals'' Ben Duckett pulls out of IPL 2026
London (PTI): Ben Duckett has decided to pull out of his IPL 2026 stint with Delhi Capitals, and the England opener now faces a two-year ban from the league and auction as per the amended rules.
Duckett was roped in by the Capitals for Rs 2 crore in last year's auction, but he now wants to spend time at home and play red-ball cricket, following a forgettable run in the Ashes and being on the sidelines for the recent T20 World Cup.
"It was a very difficult decision, and I want to apologise to everyone at Delhi that I won’t be coming,” Duckett told Telegraph Sport.
“I felt it was going to be a great opportunity when I put myself in the auction, and for a franchise like Delhi to pick me up was amazing. I was buzzing. It’s the best competition in the world with the best players, and would have been an amazing experience," he added.
As per the rules tweaked ahead of IPL 2025, overseas players who pull out of the league after being picked in the auction will face a two-year ban if they do not have a legitimate reason for doing so.
The only exception, as per the IPL Governing Council, is for any injury or a medical condition which needs to be confirmed by the player’s home board.
“I don’t know if I’m potentially saying goodbye to the IPL, having never played in it. With the age I am now (31), it might be tough for me, but I hope one day I’m able to represent Delhi. But I’ve thought a lot about this, and know it’s the right decision for my career,” Duckett said.
The left-handed opener featured in all the five Ashes Tests but endured a poor run, scoring 202 runs in 10 outings at 20.20 without even a fifty.
Duckett said, “I’ve made this decision on my own accord. I’ve spent a lot of time away from home in different places, and it felt like the best thing for me to do to be ready to play for England is to be here right now, at home, refreshing my mind and body.
"We all have different journeys, but my journey into the Test team has come from County cricket. I know how valuable that is for me, scoring runs in the Championship and the confidence that gives me going into the rest of the summer."
Duckett he did not want to rush back to England's Test season, beginning in June.
“I could have gone to the IPL, spent time on the sidelines, then rushed back into the Test summer. I wouldn't have time to process the winter (Ashes), learn from mistakes, and go back to the drawing board with Notts,” added Duckett, who will be working with Nottinghamshire head coach Peter Moores.
On his part, Duckett apologised for the excessive drinking incident in Noosa during a mid-Ashes break.
“I am sorry for that incident, it was not professional and shouldn’t have happened. There is no hiding away from it," he said.
“My expectations were more (runs) than what I managed (in Ashes), but facing Starc with the new ball at 90mph every innings, was extremely tough work. No one is more frustrated with how I went than me,” Duckett said.
