Two more South African strains of COVID-19 virus in Karnataka; 833 new cases, five deaths
Bengaluru, Mar 12: Two more cases with South African strain have been detected in Karnataka, as the state reported 833 new COVID-19 cases and five fatalities,taking the caseload to 9.58 lakh and the toll to 12,386, the Health department said on Friday.
The day also saw 545 patients getting discharged after recovery.
Bengaluru Urban continued to top the list of positive cases, accounting for 526 infections
Cumulatively 9,58,417 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 12,386 deaths and 9,37,898 discharges, the Health department said in a bulletin.
Out of 8,114 active cases, 7,989 patients are stable and in isolation at designated hospitals, while 125 are in Intensive Care Units.
Bengaluru Urban also accounted for two deaths, while the other three were from Bidar, Dharwad and Kalaburagi.
Meanwhile, two cases with South African strain were detected in Ballari, taking the total number of such cases in the state to three.
The two had come to Ballari from Dubai last week.
They were subjected to tests after they developed symptoms and tested positive, official sources said, adding they were undergoing necessary treatment and due contact tracing processes have been followed.
The first COVID-19 positive case with South Africa strain in the state was found in Shivamogga on March 10.
Among fresh cases, Kalaburagi followed Bengaluru Urban with 38, Tumakuru 36, Dakshina Kannada 35 and Kolar 30, followed by others.
Bengaluru Urban district topped the list of positive cases, with a total of 4,10,181, followed by Mysuru 54,367 and Ballari 39,386.
Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban headed the list with 3,99,656, followed by Mysuru 53,144 and Ballari 38,686.
A total of over 1,96,44,839 samples have been tested so far, out of which 73,632 were tested on Friday alone.
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No stubble burning now, why air pollution crisis in Delhi: Mann takes dig at BJP
Chandigarh (PTI): Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday slammed the BJP saying its leaders used to "defame" Punjab farmers over stubble burning and blame them for Delhi's poor air quality and questioned why is there pollution crisis in national capital despite no farm fires now.
Mann said that as soon as paddy harvest takes place, BJP leaders blame Punjab and its farmers for Delhi's poor air quality.
He said they used to claim that stubble burning by Punjab farmers causes Delhi's pollution.
Mann said at present, the Air Quality Index in major Punjab cities is between 70 and 130.
"At present, Delhi's AQI is between 450 and 500 and no smoke is coming from Punjab. But the situation in Delhi is worse. At least now they should agree that there is no role of Punjab for Delhi's poor air quality," Mann said in a video message.
Mann's remarks came on a day Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologised for the air pollution crisis in the national capital and acknowledged its impact on children's health.
Sirsa, however, asserted that it was the result of the policies pursued by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi.
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Last month, the BJP had trashed the Punjab CM's previous claim that stubble burning in the state has no role in the high levels of air pollution in Delhi as "ridiculous".
Dismissing Mann's claim, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva had last month said it is certain that stubble burning is a "major" factor (for the air pollution in Delhi).
Meanwhile, Mann in his video message said, due to severe floods which Punjab witnessed this year, paddy harvesting got delayed, "despite this, many Delhi ministers had already started blaming Punjab".
"I want to praise Punjab farmers, NGOs and efforts of the Punjab government have also paid off in controlling stubble burning this time. The cases of stubble burning in Punjab have reduced by 70-80 per cent and this has been acknowledged by the Central Government and the Union Agriculture Minister," Mann said.
The CM further said that after paddy harvest even the wheat crop has been sown and now, there is no incident of stubble burning.
He said BJP leaders used to claim that Punjab's smoke from stubble travels to Delhi.
"Now, there is no stubble burning, but Delhi is facing very poor air quality. This proves that earlier too Punjab's smoke had no role for Delhi's poor air quality. Only accusations were made by the BJP to defame Punjab. At least now the Centre should praise the farmers of Punjab," he said.
"Meanwhile, Delhi's AQI is between 450 and 500, flights are being cancelled, and breathing has become difficult," said Mann.
He asked both the BJP government in Delhi and the BJP led Centre to address Delhi's air pollution, saying citizens cannot even venture out for a walk due to air pollution.
He also asked the BJP that Punjab should not be dragged into this political battle, instead, Punjab's farmers should be appreciated, and the Delhi and Central governments should focus on addressing Delhi's air pollution.
Mann further said that farmers of Punjab are 'anndatas' (food providers) and they meet the country's food needs, they should not be defamed.
