Bengaluru: Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases in the country, the Karnataka government has made Covid-19 tests mandatory for those infected with Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI). State’s Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday said that a direction has been given to the health department officials to ensure a mandatory Covid test for such patients.

After the state’s health minister’s direction, the private and the government hospitals have been instructed to compulsorily conduct the test on all ILI and SARI patients. Earlier, the Covid test was being conducted in one in 20 of such cases.

Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday conducted a meeting with the health department officials. After the meeting he said, "More than 7,000 tests are being done everyday and the Covid Positivity Rate is 3.82 per cent. The positivity rate in the state has not come down yet."

The minister asked the officials to keep a close watch on those who are Covid positive pointing that neighbouring Kerala has started seeing a downward trend in Covid cases.

He also said that a Covid helpline number will be started on December 6 to ensure proper assistance to the patients.

Minister Rao asserted, "Those with symptoms are being monitored and tested. Those who are in isolation at home have been told to take extra care. It is expected that the trend of decreasing Covid cases may start next week in Karnataka. The Technical Advisory Committee met on Thursday and gave some guidance. I have instructed the authorities to adopt the guidelines."