Bengaluru, January 13, Thursday Govt constantly tried to persuade Congress to stop padayatra. Govt handled this situation in a very matured manner without use of force like lathicharge or arrest. Padayatra has indeed led to surge in cases and Congress is responsible for this, said Health and Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar.
Speaking to the media at Vikasa Soudha Dr.Sudhakar appreciated Congress for calling off padayatra in the interest of health and safety of citizens. Several thousands of innocent people participated in the padayatra, we are yet to see how it has spread covid. Govt did not stop padayatra by brute force but we tried to convince them that this is not appropriate time to hold padayatra amid third wave. The irresponsible statements made by KPCC president DK Shivakumar is very unbecoming and has hurt the morale of covid warriors from IAS officers to a front line worker.
CM BS Bommai has very deep understanding and knowledge of irrigation issues and he is very well aware of what needs to be done to benefit the state. Opposition should join hands with govt in such inter-state water issues. UP Congress has cancelled all political rallies despite elections. Karnataka Congress should also have postponed Padayatra similarly.
Govt has lodged FIR and issued notices to all those who have violated covid norms. CM has managed the situation very sensitively without giving room for any violence. Mekedatu is an interstate issue and Tamilnadu has approached SC. Ruling DMK is an UPA alliance partner and if Congress high command is really concerned about Karnataka it could have discussed with Tamilnadu CM to withdraw the case, said Dr.Sudhakar.
Measures to control Covid-19
On December 28, there were 356 cases in the state including 269 in Bengaluru. On January 5 we had 3,605 cases in Bengaluru and 641 in rest of the state. On January 11, we had 10,800 cases in Bengaluru alone and 3,673 in rest of the state. So between December 28 and January 11, in 15 days, the cases have increased by 32.64% in Bengaluru Urban district, 32.65% in BBMP and 36.44% in the state, explained the minister.
While the doubling time in the first wave was 10-12 days, it was 8 days during second wave. But in third wave the cases are doubling in every 2 or 2.5 days. It is therefore important for everyone to get both the doses of vaccine. Between January 1-11, there were 62, 641 active cases and about 6% of them were in hospital, 1% in covid care centres and rest 93% were in home isolation, said minister.
We have set a target of atleast 2 lakh tests per day and we will increase it further. About 1 lakh tests are being done in Bengaluru. About 265 labs are operational in the state and there are 9 genomic labs including 5 state govt and 4 central govt labs. We have a capacity to sequence 1,875 samples in one batch, explained Dr.K.Sudhakar.
After second wave, at a total cost of Rs.243 crores, we have established an additional 6,386 oxygen beds and 2,928 ICU beds in 147 taluk hospitals. 665 oxygen beds and 263 ICU beds have been added in 19 district hospitals at a cost of Rs.25 crores. 217 out of 266 PSA oxygen plants allotted to Karnataka are operational. 3,460 ventilators and 8,100 oxygen concentrators are available.
Treatment of Children
30% of the beds in District and Talk hospitals have been reserved for treatment of children. Indira Gandhi Childrens Hospital has been notified has designated hospital for pediatric care. Tests are being conducted in schools once in every 15 days.
4.89 crore continues in the state have received first dose and 3.98 crore have received both the doses. About 81.5% of the eligible population is fully vaccinated in the state.
