Recording a steep rise, Karnataka on Monday reported 5,279 new cases of COVID-19, taking the total to 10,20,434. Of these, 3,728 cases are from Bengaluru Urban alone.
With 32 deaths, the toll rose to 12,657. This is apart from 19 deaths of patients due to non-COVID-19 reasons.
As many as 1,856 persons were discharged on Monday, taking the total recoveries to 9,65,275. Of the remaining 42,483 active patients, 345 are being monitored in ICUs. While the positivity rate for the day stood at 5.39%, the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) touched 0.60%.
As many as 97,829 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours, including 93,600 RT-PCR tests. With this, the total number of tests rose to 2,19,87,431. The number of cases are high despite the less than average tests conducted in the last 24 hours. This is a usual phenomenon every weekend.
Fresh consignment of vaccine
Karnataka on Monday received 15 lakh additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine in two consignments to Bengaluru and Belagavi, said Health and Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar.
“We were having 12 lakh doses and following out request the Union Health Ministry has allotted an additional 15 lakh doses for Karnataka. Of this, 10 lakh doses have been sent to Bengaluru and 5 lakh to Belagavi,” he said.
Stating that cases can be reduced if people behave responsibly, the Minister said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has interacted with eight States and has advised them to take stringent measures. Maharashtra has imposed tougher measures, let us not push ourselves into such a situation where tough measures become inevitable. We should not underestimate the scale and speed in which infection is spreading. We need to consider the pandemic seriously till May end.”
Vaccine for frontline workers
With the Centre freezing fresh registrations for vaccination of healthcare and frontline workers, several under this category are now turning up for getting immunised at the centres. However, they are being sent back as they can no longer be registered now.
M.K. Sudharshan, who heads the State’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) said as a goodwill gesture healthcare and frontline workers should be given one last chance to get vaccinated. “There should be a forgive and forget approach. It is true that many did not register when the window was open. But the government must be magnanimous and considerate in this regard,” he said adding that vaccination should be opened up for all above 18 years soon.
Nearly 46 lakh vaccinated in State
The State has vaccinated 45,95,086 people so far. This includes 5,69,507 healthcare workers and 2,46,972 frontline workers who have taken the first dose of vaccination. As many as 3,48,999 healthcare workers and 92,613 frontline workers have taken the second dose.
As many as 22,58,829 senior citizens have been vaccinated in the State since March 1 when the second phase was rolled out. That apart, 10,46,339 persons above 45 years have been vaccinated so far.
On Monday, as many as 76,784 senior citizens and 1,08,243 above 45 years took the jab till 8.30 p.m. Besides, 4,172 and 1,440 persons in both these categories respectively took the second dose. Cumulatively, Bengaluru Urban has recorded the highest numbers — 4,09,528 and 1,33,048 — respectively in both these categories.
