Karnataka CM holds meeting with Covid TAC: No restrictions for Christmas and New Year Eve

Bengaluru: The Covid technical advisory committee of Karnataka on Thursday briefed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah about the situation in the state and also the lineage of Covid JN.1 variant. Two deaths have been reported in Karnataka but genomic sequencing has confirmed that these deaths were not caused by the new variant JN.1. Both victims were also reportedly suffering from other comorbidities.

The Karnataka health department briefed the CM in detail about the steps taken to prevent the spread of the virus. The precautions recommended by the committee are along expected lines, with these measures including social distancing, increased RT-PCR and RAT testing, masks for senior citizens, extra care in enclosed spaces and immediate testing and treatment of those exhibiting symptoms of cough, cold and fever. 

Speaking to Republic, Primary and Secondary Education Minister of the State Madhu Bangarappa said, "As of now there will be no additional measures that will be implemented in the schools. Private school associations have made it mandatory for masks to be worn in their facilities and we will take further measures if there are symptoms and cases. We will discuss what to do if teachers and students have travelled elsewhere and what precautionary measures have to be taken in such a case."

Preparedness in Bengaluru and border areas

The health department has also briefed the CM about precautionary measures taking place in geographic regions prone to Covid, mainly Bengaluru and areas bordering Kerala and Maharashtra. Namely, these measures include additional procurement of PPE suits, more medicines being stocked up for treatment, ventilator-ready beds on standby and increased testing and surveillance in border areas alongside random sampling and testing in Bengaluru itself.  

Holiday guidance

On the condition of anonymity, a health official told Republic that "in the meeting, there were no measures discussed on either Christmas or New Year to be taken as the rate of positivity is negligible. The only concern raised was the measures to be taken in bordering districts of Kerala as the positivity is high and there have been fatalities because of the JN.1 variant. We have decked up the facilities in all our government hospitals and there should be absolutely no problem and we are ready to handle any emergencies. There is no cause for concern as of now."