Panic in B’gavi dist over sudden spike in Covid-19

Belagavi: In February, the health department announced Belagavi district was completely free from Covid-19, as not even a single case was reported for the past month, and there were no active cases. However, a sudden spike in the pandemic on Saturday created panic in the district.
In a single day, 19 cases were reported in the district on Saturday. 15 of them were found in border taluks - Nipani and Chikodi, besides two cases in Belagavi city and one case in Raibag and Savadatti taluks. Belagavi is ranked third in the state after Bengaluru Urban and Shivamogga with 162 and 50 cases on Saturday, respectively.
According to health department sources, 15 cases have been reported from villages – Akkol, Koganolli, Soundalaga, Mangur, Jainapur and Ingali in Nipani and Chikodi taluks. Alerted by the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases, the health department has taken precautionary measures to stop the pandemic spread by home isolating patients. Speaking to TOI, district health officer Dr Mahesh Koni said 16 of the total 19 cases reported on Saturday were in Maharashtra border villages. "We monitor each case through strict home isolation and tracing secondary contacts. I have asked concerned local authorities to keep an eye on the floating population in Maharashtra border villages," he said.
“Since the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases, we will double the tests across the district from Sunday. I have already requested more vaccines and masks besides other necessary things to monitor the situation effectively in the coming days”, Dr Koni said, adding that so far, the situation is completely under control and there is no need to be alarmed. Meanwhile, the officer urged people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour by washing their hands, avoiding crowded places and using masks in public places.
On Sunday, 14 Covid-19 positive cases reported in Belagavi district. Of the total reported cases, 10 were from Savadatti taluk, while two are from Belagavi city and remaining two are from Chikodi and Khanapur. With this, the number of total active cases went up to 36.