K'taka Minister Sharan Prakash Patil says COVID situation under control, urges caution
Bengaluru, May 27 (PTI): With COVID-19 cases on the rise in the state, Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on Tuesday said doctors and health workers have been instructed to wear masks.
He said there is no reason for the public to panic, as the government has taken all necessary precautionary measures.
Speaking to reporters after a COVID-19 preparedness meeting with all the directors of state-run medical colleges and hospitals here, the minister reassured citizens, saying “COVID cases are increasing daily, but there is no need for undue worry. Pregnant women should use masks. The government is fully prepared. People should also cooperate with us,” he stated.
As schools are set to reopen after summer vacation, he said students showing symptoms of fever, cold or cough should not be sent to school. If children develop symptoms during school hours, parents should be contacted and the child sent home immediately.
"We must conduct testing for all SARI (Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) cases. I’ve held meetings with directors of all medical education hospitals. We’ve arranged labs and testing will be done across four divisions. Instructions have been given to collect data on oxygen beds and ventilators," he said in a statement.
With a possible spike in COVID cases expected in Bengaluru and across Karnataka, the minister advised senior citizens and pregnant women to use masks in crowded places.
The Minister said that despite rising cases, masks are not mandatory for everyone and only those with fever, cold or cough need to wear them.
"We’re monitoring the situation closely. This time, heavy rains and changing weather are also causing seasonal illness," Patil said.
Noting that Bengaluru is witnessing the highest number of new COVID cases in the state, the Minister, however, said that the infection is not spreading rapidly.
“There is no need for panic if people follow government guidelines. Most people are already vaccinated. If necessary, we’ll coordinate with the Union Health Ministry to procure more vaccines,” he assured.
He said even as cases increase, there is no cause for alarm.
"Testing facilities should be kept ready. As a precaution, health workers must wear masks. Instructions have been given to check the availability of medicines and oxygen beds and to submit reports accordingly, Patil added.
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Four more arrested in brigadier assault case in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Four more accused have been arrested in connection with the alleged assault on an Army brigadier, his son and threatening his wife in southwest Delhi's Vasant Enclave area, police said on Friday.
The accused have been identified as Surjit Singh (36), Sunil Sharma (53) and Ashish (32), all from Mehram Nagar in Delhi, and Satender (35) of Bhiwani in Haryana, police said.
According to police, Surjit Singh was known to the main accused Satender, a director of an aviation company. All of them were sitting together in Mehram Nagar when Satender called them regarding a quarrel in Vasant Enclave.
"Following the call, all four left for the spot in Surjit's white Hyundai Aura. After reaching there, they got involved in the altercation and assault before returning to their respective homes," a senior police officer said.
After learning about the registration of the case, the accused fled and went into hiding, he said.
"Teams were constituted to trace them and all four absconding accused were arrested," he said.
The Hyundai Aura used in the incident has also been recovered, police said.
Further investigation into the case is underway. The role of each accused is being examined, they said.
According to the investigators, the incident took place on the night of April 11, when the brigadier and his son objected to the two men allegedly consuming alcohol inside a car parked outside their residence. Soon, others reached the spot and allegedly assaulted the officer and his son, besides abusing and threatening his wife.
