Karnataka has successfully conducted over a lakh COVID-19 tests yesterday. Medical Education Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar has informed that 1,04,348 tests were conducted in a single day. He has tweeted that 146 labs in the state conducted 55,690 RT-PCR and 48,658 Rapid Antigen Tests in 30 districts. 

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Urban district continues to report high COVID caseload. As on date, the district has 2,57,241 confirmed cases and 3,136 deaths due to the pandemic. It has a mortality rate of 1.22 per cent and positivity rate of 13.69 per cent. In an effort to contain the pandemic, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and Health Department has initiated strict measures.

In an effort to contain the pandemic the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has increased testing and tracking of COVID patients. It has set up kiosks in all the Municipal wards and is conducting free Rapid Antigen Tests. Till date it has conducted 18,78,709 tests which is one of the highest number of tests among the cities in India.

It has invoked the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Ordinance to crack down on people who refuse to get tested. Such persons can face jail term of up to three years and a fine of 50,000 rupees. All the primary contacts and those with symptoms have been asked to undergo tests for their own interests and the interest of their near and dear ones.

A fine of rupees one thousand is imposed on those not wearing masks. The Municipal Corporation has also intensified drive against those violating home isolation and those not ensuring social distancing. 

In Karnataka 9,993 new covid-19 cases were reported yesterday taking the tally to 6,57,705 cases.  10,228 people also recovered from the disease in the State. The total number of recovery has gone up to 5,33,074.

As many as 1,15,151 active cases are taking treatment across the State among them 848 patients are in ICU.  The State conducted 92,491 covid tests yesterday and the total number of tests have reached to 54,19,954.  91 covid patients lost their life in the last 24 hours and the total fatalities have increased to 9,461.

Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr. K.Sudhakar has said that the government is not considering opening schools now.  While speaking to media persons  in Madikeri yesterday,   he said that after consulting experts it is found appropriate not to start the schools due to heavy caseload of the novel Coronavirus.  

Dr. Sudhakar also said that the government is considering  setting up new guidelines for tourists visiting tourist spots in the State. Guidelines like compulsory covid tests for tourists, physical check up will be done using Health, Revenue and Police department staffs.