No new restrictions, Karnataka govt urges people to take booster dose

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has decided not to impose any stringent curbs despite a spike in fresh Covid-19 cases in the state. "We are not considering imposing any curbs on social and economic activities as of now despite the spike, but the next 15 days are going to be crucial," health minister K Sudhakar said on Thursday after chairing a meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on Covid.
According to officials, Karnataka has recorded five deaths due to Covid-19 in the past 48 hours after 145 days.
Among the deceased, the death of a 20-year-old woman without any comorbidities and the rise of BA-5 variant have become reasons for concern. The woman was suffering from typhoid and was admitted to hospital on August 3 in Dakshina Kannada district. She contracted Covid and died.
Citing these instances, Sudhakar appealed to people to take booster dose and wear masks whenever they step out. He advised Covid patients with comorbidities to get treatment at hospitals. Sudhakar said the country is seeing an uptick in the Covid-19 positivity rate. So is Karnataka. “The average positivity rate of Karnataka is 7. 2%. The rate is higher than the state average in cities like Bengaluru, Shivamogga, Bagalkot and Ballari. Dharwad currently has the highest positivity rate,” said Sudhakar.
Despite the rise in cases, only 17% have taken the booster dose so far. He said the reason for low boosterdose coverage was many had become complacent that nothing would happen to them as they had survived the previous Covid-19 waves.
Experts across the world have said the immunity wanes after 6-7 months of taking the vaccine, and the booster is required. The booster dose helps reduce hospitalizations and deaths, he added. The minister said the state is curren tly conducting 30,000 tests a day.
As per central government guidelines, only symptomatic persons are being tested.
Sudhakar said Corbevax has been given approval by the Union government for use as booster dose and it will be inaugurated on Friday. He stated Corbevax could be taken even if an individual had taken Covaxin or Covishield as primary doses.
He instructed private hospitals to not refuse treatment for Covid patients. “I’ve received complaints that many hospitals have denied treatment. This is inhumane and illegal. If such complaints are received, then strict action will be taken under the KPME and Epidemic Acts. ”