BENGALURU: In news that is likely to keep officials managing the pandemic on their toes, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has confirmed a marginal increase in Covid-19 cases over the past 15 days in Bengaluru city.
The state’s capital reported 135 positives cases on November 6, but fresh infections rose to 147 on November 12 and to 162 on November 17. BBMP data accessed by TOI shows 42 Covid-19 patients were admitted in government hospitals over the past 15 days and 231 were admitted to private hospitals.
Officials are attributing the rise in cases to crowding during the festive season. “Over the past two months, there have been many festivals, weddings, and other social gatherings where people came together and interacted,” said a senior health official from the West Zone. “In closed spaces, the chances of contracting the disease are high.”
Also, with restrictions being lifted, the festive season also saw a rise in shopping where the tendency is to touch and examine products one wants to buy. “When one handles clothes, utensils and other products which one is likely to purchase, the chances of the virus spreading are high,” the official said.
The official said most people who tested positive recently have sought treatment in private hospitals. He also said there are more women among those who have contracted the viral disease. “There were five women who tested positive in the second week of November, and the common denominator was a clothing store located in South Bengaluru,” said the official. “All who tested positive were asymptomatic. When we began tracing their primary and secondary contacts, all leads pointed to the infection spreading from the trial room of the store.”
Other BBMP health officials blamed the rise in cases on the reduction in number of Covid-19 tests being conducted. “The government has capped tests at 30,000 per day which is contributing to a rise in cases,” said a senior health official from the Covid-19 War Room. “When we were conducting 60,000 tests a day, we were able to identify positive cases early and control the spread of the virus. But now, with reduced testing, we will not be able to quickly identify those who are carrying the virus.”
Besides, with the city returning to almost normal and all kinds of activities increasing, the likelihood of the virus spreading is higher, officials said. “Interstate and inter-district movement of people has increased. Many travellers may have contracted the virus on the way to the city, adding to cases here,” said another senior health official.
Careless attitude
Gaurav Gupta, BBMP chief commissioner, confirmed the rise in fresh cases, saying it is a result of the “careless attitude of people”. “The War Room is monitoring the situation and there has been a slight uptick. People need to be careful, wear masks while out in public and safeguard themselves,” Gupta told TOI. “Advanced countries believe that during the cold season, cases tend to rise. But Bengaluru has a tropical climate for the most part, so we cannot blame the rise on the weather.”
Gupta appealed to citizens to follow health protocols and requested them to get tested even if they show the slightest symptoms such as fever, cold or cough.
