Karnataka Covid lockdown news live: 2 held for black marketing of oxygen in Bengaluru; 5 cylinders seized

In view of the Covid-19 surge, the high court has issued new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for its functioning and that of district and trial courts. In the high court benches at Bengaluru, Dharwad and Kalaburagi, the entry of advocates and litigants is allowed only if there is a specific order and also for rectification of office objections. In Bengaluru, the benches will hear cases only virtually. However, the advocate general, additional advocate general, government advocates and prosecutors, may, if necessary, address courts physically.

Dakshina Kannada’s Covid case count has eased in the past few days, but fatalities are a big concern. The district has seen 88 Covid deaths this month as against only nine recorded between January and April.

The government has been strictly observing movement of people to check the spread of Covid-19 in the state, especially in rural areas. A joint family in Sulla village of Hubballi taluk has set an example for others by successfully battling and recovering from the infection by following the protocols specified by the government. READ MORE

With the Covid second wave sweeping though the state, the Indian Army on Saturday augmented the medical infrastructure of state administration by setting up a 100-bed Covid Care Centre at Ulsoor in Bengaluru. In a statement, the army stated that with the increasing numbers of Covid-19 positive cases across Karnataka, state-run medical resources are being overstretched to meet the daily bed requirement. (IANS)

After the scarcity of the drug Liposomal amphotericin B, a shortage of hospital beds is affecting patients with mucormycosis, a serious fungal infection. Major hospitals in the city, which had reserved beds for such cases, say their wards are full now. Many patients turning up at OPDs are being sent back without treatment. READ MORE

While some neighours shy away from lending a helping hand to Covid-19 patients, a Murugeshpalya couple in their early 40s are immensely grateful to neighbours who came to their rescue. Seema (name changed) was due to deliver when her husband was hospitalised and her in-laws and five-year-old son had Covid symptoms. READ MORE

Dr Bevinje Srinivas Kakkilaya, who recently walked into a supermarket without a mask and argued with staff, filed a complaint against the store owner for allegedly circulating CCTV footage. The clips, which showed the 56-year-old doctor calling the policy “foolish”, went viral. READ MORE

The cash assistance announced by chief minister BS Yediyurappa as part of the Rs 1,112-crore Covid relief package may not cover the entire labour force of the unorganised sector. This is because only 3 lakh out of 2 crore workers have registered with the Karnataka State Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board so far. READ MORE

Karnataka’s flip-flop on the vaccination drive continued, with the health department on Saturday categorically saying vaccine for the 18-44 age group is currently unavailable. Frontline workers and priority groups in the the age bracket, however, would be notified soon. READ MORE