No significant rise in Covid cases in north Karnataka

BELAGAVI: While the number of fresh Covid-19 cases are burgeoning in some districts of the state, Bengaluru Urban especially, most districts in North Karnataka have seen only a marginal increase over the past week.
While district administrations have kept beds ready in case there is a second wave of infections, it has also implemented several safety measures such as tightening movement across the border to prevent spread of the virus.
Over the past three days, most districts in North Karnataka barring Kalaburagi have seen between one and 20 cases daily. In Kalaburagi though 78 cases were registered over the past three days – 37 on March 5 alone.
On many days in the past couple of weeks, Bagalkot, Gadag, Haveri, Koppal, Raichur and Yadgir districts have seen less than 10 or even no new cases. Yadgir did not report a fresh case for three days in a row, while less than 20 cases each were reported in Belagavi, Vijayapura and Bidar districts. However, despite the numbers being low, there has been a marginal rise in Bidar.
VG Reddy, Bidar district health officer, insisted testing has not been cut. “The health department is ensuring over 1,000 tests,” Reddy said. He said the district administration has kept beds ready to handle a possible second wave. “Each taluk hospital has 50 dedicated beds,” he said. “In government facilities, a total 550 beds are on standby including ones at Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS).”
Reddy said border checkposts are active and those traveling from Maharashtra without a Covid-19 negative test report are being sent back. Those who show symptoms at the post are being sent to quarantine where they will undergo RT-PCR tests. “The administration is taking every possible step to curb the spread,” he said.
MK Patil, Kalaburagi DHO, cited three major reasons for the sudden surge in cases. “Although RT-PCR negative report is mandatory to those travelling from Maharashtra, it hasn’t been effectively implemented. This has resulted in the spread,” he said.
He said Chittapur town saw an influx of people from Maharashtra, resulting in a rise in cases. “A few stringent measures at the border will curb cases. Although there is a limit on the number of people at weddings, the norm is being flouted. The third factor is people are not wearing masks nor maintain social distancing. We are testing more than 2,000 people every day,” he said.