Will act against those blocking Covid beds to fleece patients: Karnataka CM

BENGALURU: Chief minister BS Yediyurappa was furious on Wednesday over reports of a Covid bed racket in which touts and hospital staffers allegedly blocked beds to fleece patients and asked officials to take strict action against those, including government officials, involved in the scam.
The CM said his office had received many complaints in this regard. Sources in the CM's office said touts block beds, mostly in private hospitals, and sell them for a price ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per bed.
Yediyurappa asked officials to keep an eye on hospitals claiming reimbursement from the government for patients who opted for home isolation. It's alleged that private hospitals have been asking asymptomatic patients with Bengaluru Urban numbers to opt for home isolation but claiming a hefty reimbursement showing that they were admitted.
"You should crosscheck reimbursement claims before releasing money," Yediyurappa told officials.
Instill fear in people to follow safety norms, Yediyurappa tells officials
Expressing satisfaction over decreasing number of positive cases for the past few days, he asked officials to be vigilant during the upcoming festival. “There should not be any let-up in strict implementation of SOPs. Also, take action against people not maintaining social-distance norms or not wearing mask to instill fear among people to follow SOPs,” he told officials.
The CM directed officials to increase the number of RT-PCR tests and reduce rapid antigen tests, besides keeping a vigil on people in home isolation through tele-monitoring. This will help curb the spread of the pandemic, he said.
Officials told the CM that wrong addresses and keeping mobile phones switched off are making it difficult for tracing primary and secondary contacts of positive cases.
Fatality rate falling in Bengaluru
BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad said the Covid death rate is coming down in all zones of Bengaluru. On average, 47,000 tests are conducted a day in Bengaluru. Health minister K Sudhakar stressed the need for special attention to people who have recovered as cases of relapses are increasing.
Special team for RR Nagar
The CM told officials to ensure strict implementation of SOPs in poll-bound RR Nagar constituency. “Since the by-election is likely to witness hyper-canvassing by all three parties, violations of SOPs will be there. Appoint a special team till elections are over,” Yediyurappa said.
Sudhakar felt the need for issuance of separate SOPs for the constituency. As of now, 10 contacts per each positive case are being traced, he said.