From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 8: Taking serious note of the alarming spurt in Covid infection cases in Bengaluru, the state government decided to conduct a door-to-door survey in the city to identify positive cases and instructed officials to conduct of 1 lac tests per day.

Announcing the state government’s decisions, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare minister Dr K Sudhakar on Thursday said instructions have been given to officials to identify at least 20 primary and secondary contacts for each positive case.

Speaking to the media after a meeting with officials of BBMP, Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts, the minister said the measures were initiated in the backdrop of the surge in cases.

"People should cooperate if officials visit homes for Covid testing," he said.

Door-to-door survey

There are 8500 booths in BBMP limits and a team will be formed in each booth that will conduct a door-to-door survey, the minister said.

"The mandate of the teams will include testing, spreading awareness on isolation guidelines, providing necessary assistance to Covid infected persons, treatment for home isolated people, stamping, health check-up, ensuring oxygen service for the infected persons etc," Dr Sudhakar said.

He explained that though this programme was unveiled last year, it could not be implemented.

"But now we will ensure this will happen. Every ward will have one ambulance, 250 ambulances are available,’’ said the minister.

He said private hospitals have been directed to reserve 50% beds for Covid patients.

Dr Sudhakar said guidelines will be out soon regarding modalities for reference from a government hospital and direct admission.

"We have requested the Home Department to provide 2,000 home guards for enforcement of Covid-19 appropriate behavior. I will also request the chief minister in this regard,’’ said the minister.

Other points made by the minister

Presently, 1000 beds are available for Covid patients in Bengaluru and measures have been initiated to increase it by another three to four thousand additional beds.

Information on the availability of beds will be put on the web portal to ensure transparency.

Chief minister will provide information regarding the measures taken by the state to contain second wave to the prime minister in the video conference with all CMs. Also, he will suggest certain measures to be implemented.

We have 25-30 lac dosage of vaccines available in the state. The centre has assured to provide 25 lac additional dosages. There is no shortage of vaccines.

Healthcare personnel will visit apartment complexes to provide vaccination. Teams will be formed to carry out this task.

Political events should also be organised in accordance with the guidelines.

Otherwise, we all may have to take moral responsibility for the surge.

Election commissioner has been requested in this regard.