33k eligible people yet to get jabbed in Mysuru, says DC

Mysuru: Announcing that the district administration will hereafter implement strict Covid guidelines in public places, deputy commissioner Bagadi Gautham said more than 33,000 residents in Mysuru are yet to take the Covid vaccine.
Bagadi Gautham reviewed the preparations to tackle challenges during the possible third wave of Covid, on Monday. The Covid positivity rate has been going up in the last few days and Sunday’s figure was highest in the recent past with a 5.6% positivity rate.In the last week, the average positivity rate stood at 2.5%.
“Chances of people being infected are high among the unvaccinated groups and the public must immediately get vaccinated,” the DC appealed.
Currently, the district has just over 1,000 active cases and the number is increasing with cases rising in other parts of Karnataka, including Bengaluru which is in close proximity. As per the district health authorities, more than 75% of the cases are reported from Mysuru city and taluk. Of the total 1,027 active cases, 775 are from Mysuru taluk and the city. About 125 patients are hospitalised, while the rest are under home isolation.
On Sunday alone, 398 individuals of the total 7,070 samples tested positive and among them, 60 cases were children below the age of 18 years. In the last week, 42,584 tests are conducted across the district and 1,064 were found positive. The average positivity rate is 2.5%.
“Still, 33,000 residents are hesitant or reluctant to take vaccines in the district. Our healthcare workers are visiting doorsteps and the unvaccinated public must utilize this facility,” said the DC.
Briefing about the preparations, the deputy commissioner said 2,048 beds are reserved in 14 government hospitals, 1,661 beds in 44 private hospitals, and 2,671 beds in 21 Covid Care Centres across the district. In all, 6,380 beds are available for Covid treatment. “About 830 beds are reserved for paediatric use. If necessary, the district administration is ready and capable of increasing g the number of beds by another 15-20% depending on caseload,” he added.
The DC also advised the public not to panic. “The Omicron variant is infectious and according to studies, it is not that severe on the health. “People should avoid seeking hospitalisation unnecessarily, but take enough care and precaution like wearing masks and maintaining social distance,” he added.
Fewer cases in institutions
Schools and colleges have resumed classes, but until now, district administration has not found any outbreak of Covid cases in the educational institutions. Except for four clusters in different localities in Mysuru city and rural areas, there is no cluster in educational institutions, disclosed the DC.
Only 200 visitors at a time
DC said tourism authorities have been informed to allow only 200 visitors at a time and this is aimed at preventing crowd at the tourist spots. Managers of Mysuru Palace Board and other tourist spots have been informed to strictly ensure Covid appropriate behaviour to keep infection at bay.
Focus on enforcing norms
The focus until this week was on vaccination, and hereafter district administration will concentrate on testing and enforcement of Covid rules in public places, disclosed DC.