Bengaluru has reported its first Covid-19 death of the year, according to the Karnataka Health Department. The deceased, an 85-year-old man, passed away on Saturday, marking a concerning development amid a mild resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the state. In the past 24 hours, 108 individuals were tested, with five testing positive and one being discharged. The total number of active cases across Karnataka now stands at 38, with Bengaluru accounting for 32 of those cases. Other districts like Ballari, Bengaluru Rural, Mangaluru, and Vijayanagar have reported one active case each, while Mysuru has two. A woman who returned from Mumbai has tested positive and is in home isolation, while a pregnant woman in Belagavi, who traveled to Pune, has also tested positive.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has reassured the public, stating that the situation does not warrant panic. He emphasized that the uptick in cases is minor and expected. “There is nothing to be alarmed about. It’s a very normal situation,” he said. While urging people with low immunity, such as pregnant women, children, and those on immunosuppressant drugs, to exercise caution in crowded areas, he maintained that there are no travel restrictions or mandatory mask requirements. The minister stated that only individuals with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) symptoms are required to undergo Covid testing. He further added that Covid-19 has now become endemic, like other seasonal viruses, and routine life can continue normally. So far, 257 cases have been reported nationwide this year, all of which have shown only mild symptoms.
In response to the gradual increase in cases, hospitals across several districts, including Dharwad, have prepared 10-bed ICU wards specifically for Covid-19 treatment. The state’s Technical Advisory Committee has also recommended restarting Covid testing in eight medical colleges starting Sunday. The Karnataka Health Department recently issued an advisory highlighting the slight but consistent rise in Covid cases over the past 20 days in Bengaluru. Emphasizing hygiene and hand cleanliness, the advisory reiterates that such practices are essential not just for preventing Covid-19, but also for guarding against other viral and bacterial infections. With no serious symptoms or major spread so far, the state continues to monitor the situation closely while avoiding unnecessary alarm.
