Bengaluru today reported 1,400 Covid cases, its highest daily figure this year (Representational)
Highlights
- Nearly 1,400 cases were reported in Bengaluru on Wednesday
- It has been decided to hand-stamp the infected people
- Places which have high footfall will be sanitized to control the spread
People from outside Karnataka will have to carry a negative coronavirus test (RT-PCR) report to enter capital Bengaluru from April 1, minister Dr K Sudhakar informed on Thursday.
"Nearly 1,400 cases have been reported in Bengaluru (on Wednesday), which is the highest in the last 4 months. There is a spike in cases every day. It is increasingly found in passengers arriving in the city from other states," he said.
"As of now, the restriction is for Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab and Chandigarh. But now going forward, it is applicable to all states," he added.
To distinguish those exposed to the virus, it has been decided to hand-stamp the infected people, he added.
Dr Sudhakar said that the state government will not allow more than 200 people for social functions in closed premises. For open lawns, the limit is set at 500 guests.
"Certain places, which have high footfall and dense public places, will be sanitized to control the spread. Information regarding the availability of beds and ICUs will be made available online," Dr Sudhakar said.
The minister warned people of the state against the mutant version of the virus that spreads rapidly.
"...Therefore, it is requested to be careful for the next 2 months. We are tracing out 20 contacts for each infected person," he said.
Talking about the preparations the government has made to tackle the upsurge in Bengaluru, Dr Sudhakar said 400 beds have been reserved for Covid patients.
"We will increase the number of beds if required. RGICD, Bowring hospital and Charaka hospital will also be utilized for Covid treatment if required," he said.
Private hospitals have also been asked to be ready in case of a massive surge, he added.
Last week, Dr Sudhakar had said that a technical committee had predicted a second wave of infections. The state was accelerating vaccinations, reserving hospital beds and reviving Covid centres to tackle the surge, he had said.
On Thursday, India reported 53,476 new coronavirus cases, which is the country's biggest single-day jump in total infections in nearly five months.