BENGALURU: Amid an uptick in Covid-19 cases in New Delhi, Bengalureans have one question: "What is the Covid situation in the city?"
Health experts TOI spoke with and Covid trackers indicate the tech capital has been reporting around 50-60 positive cases every day and that "there is no need to worry". As of now, there are only seven Covid patients in hospitals in Bengaluru, of which one is on ventilator. Currently, the weekly test positivity rate (TPR) in the state is below 1%; in Bengaluru it was 1.6% as on April 20. However, on Thursday, Bengaluru reported 91 cases out of the state's 100 cases and the state's daily positivity rate breached the 1% mark.
Dr MK Sudarshan, chairperson, Covid technical advisory committee, said there is no sign of a fourth wave in Karnataka or Bengaluru as of now. "We will have to wait and watch and ensure all precautions are followed. Mask usage and other Covid-appropriate behaviour need to be followed," said Dr Sudarshan.
According to D Randeep, commissioner, health and family welfare department, there is no immediate cause for concern. "We are closely watching developments in other states. The weekly Covid test positivity rate is below 1% currently. Genome sequencing has not thrown up any new variant of concern. However, we urge all to be vigilant and take vaccination when due and also observe masking in public places," he said.
As on April 20, among all the metros, New Delhi had the highest number of active cases (1,947), followed by Bengaluru (1,428), Mumbai (390), Kolkata (272) and Chennai (109).
Till April 17, Bengaluru was known to have the highest number of active cases among the metros(1,391), followed by New Delhi (1,262). The same changed from April 18, with New Delhi taking over. Active cases in the national capital stood at 1,518, while Bengaluru's count was 1,403.
However, as reported by TOI earlier, there are data errors in active case count in Bengaluru. BBMP has communicated the same to the state health and family welfare department so that the exact number of active infections is captured. The civic body says there wouldn't be more than 400 active cases in the city.
