Karnataka health dept urges masks and distancing amid rising Covid cases

Karnataka is witnessing a notable surge in Covid-19 cases, prompting the state health department to issue urgent public health advisories. On Friday alone, 114 new Covid positive cases were added, increasing the active case count to 234. The state also recorded another Covid-linked death, raising the total fatalities to three.

The department reported that over the past 24 hours, 460 tests were conducted, including 406 RT-PCR and 54 Rapid Antigen Tests, with a high positivity rate of 24.7% and a case fatality rate of 0.8%. These figures underscore the ongoing risk and the need for vigilance.

In response, the Karnataka government has urged citizens to adopt Covid-appropriate behaviour. The health department's advisory emphasizes: "Wear masks in crowded places, maintain physical distancing, practice good hygiene, report symptoms early, and seek medical advice immediately if experiencing fever, cough, chest pain or breathing difficulty."

Officials also stressed the importance of staying calm but vigilant, encouraging public cooperation to curb the spread. The recent death cases involved patients with comorbidities and complications such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, highlighting the severity of infections among vulnerable groups.

This renewed call for caution comes as the state battles rising infections, aiming to prevent further strain on healthcare resources and protect public health.

"The Department of Health and Family Welfare requests all citizens not to panic, but stay vigilant and actively support public health efforts," the advisory stated.

The situation remains fluid, and authorities continue monitoring trends closely to guide future measures.

Karnataka health officials urged mask-wearing and physical distancing amid a rise in Covid-19 cases, with 114 new infections reported Friday, raising active cases to 234. The state recorded another Covid-linked death, bringing fatalities to three, while the positivity rate reached 24.7% and case fatality rate 0.8%.