Covid-19 graph in Dakshina Kannada continues its northward run

MANGALURU/UDUPI: Authorities confirmed 414 new coronavirus cases in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district on Wednesday. This is 34 fewer than the record single day hike of 448 cases reported on August 28.
Neighbouring Udupi on the other hand reported 167 new cases. The latest surge in DK meant that the total positive cases reported in the district since March is 13,479 and 11,924 in Udupi. DK as on September 2 has 2,600 active cases and Udupi 2,221 cases.
The discharge of 346 patients in DK district and 250 in Udupi during the day was a positive takeaway for the health authorities. However, nine Covid-19 related deaths, including six in DK, were a constant reminder of the dangers that this global pandemic posed to people with comorbidities. The latest reports of fatalities took the total death cases in DK rise to 381 while the three deaths in Udupi saw it cross the 100 mark to reach 102.
A good 42% (174) cases reported in DK were categorised as people suffering from influenza like illness (ILI). Source of infection in 150 patients (36%) is under investigation, deputy commissioner Dr K V Rajendra said, adding the disease was detected in 77 primary contacts, while 11 patients had severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and two cases were found in patients with domestic travel history. In all, 218 of the new cases were asymptomatic.
In Udupi, 61 people with ILI tested positive, source of infection in 56 patients is being investigated, 46 were primary contacts and one case each was detected in domestic and foreign travellers respectively. Unlike DK, 67% (112 cases) were symptomatic. Udupi taluk accounted for 92 of the new cases. The district health authorities thus far have tested 73256 samples out of which 60975 were negative. In all, 9601 patients have been discharged as on date.