Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 14: The first MLA from Karnataka to have been infected with coronavirus and healed, Dr Bharath Shetty, has advised the people never to lose heart after getting infected with the coronavirus. "It does not harm 98 per cent of the people. The secret lies in remaining positive and staying mentally strong," he said, speaking to a Kannada newspaper after getting discharged from the hospital.

Dr Shetty, who represents Mangaluru (North) constituency, was admitted into the hospital for coronavirus treatment on July 2 and discharged on July 12. He said that many do not even realise that they were infected by the coronavirus. People with good disease resistance do not suffer from the ill effects of the disease. At the same time, no one should neglect it. People who suffer from its symptoms, even if they remain at home, have to maintain social distance and wear masks to protect themselves and the family members, he advised. Saying that coronavirus infection is not lethal, he said that no one should get scared of it and fear should not be induced about it among the others. He said that the 14-day home quarantine after discharge is a must.

The MLA confessed that he does not know how he acquired the infection and that he got himself tested after he suffered from fever, after which his sense of taste and smell were impaired.