The state government, among other measures, has also identified hospitals to set up exclusive Covid-19 wards.
Officials and ministers at Cabinet sub committee meeting to tackle covid 19 in Karnataka. (supplied)
Karnataka has intensified its Covid-19 monitoring efforts following the detection of 34 cases of the JN.1 variant in the state.
The state government has made a seven-day isolation mandatory for those testing positive for Covid-19. The government has also identified hospitals in the state to set up exclusive Covid-19 wards.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao convened a meeting of the members of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Covid-19 and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on Tuesday, 26 December.
The meeting discussed strategies to address the Covid-19 situation in the state.
The minister told reporters after the meeting that people should remain calm and not panic.
“Of the active cases, 400 patients are in home isolation. As many as 36 people have been hospitalised, and only seven are in the ICU,” noted Rao.
The state government has decided to monitor the patients in home isolation, he said.
“Doctors from Namma Clinics, health department officials, and doctors from talukas and districts will keep track of the patients in home isolation,” he told reporters.
Healthcare workers would make home visits to track the patient’s health.
The government mandated all employers — both public and private — to grant seven days’ casual leave to those in home isolation. Paid leave should be granted to those in hospitals, it said.
Members of the general public — especially those aged above 60, and others with comorbidities — have been told to continue wearing face masks.
Parents have been urged to keep children exhibiting cold, cough, or fever symptoms at home and get them tested for Covid-19.
The minister requested the parents not to send children exhibiting symptoms to schools.
In a bid to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and bolster Covid-19 preparedness, the minister said tele Intensive Care Units (tele-ICUs) in all districts and taluks will be activated.
This move is to enhance remote medical monitoring and consultation, ensuring timely care for patients in even the remotest areas.
Additionally, Karnataka will focus on ramping up oxygen infrastructure, with plans to instal oxygen Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants and Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) facilities in all districts.
“A comprehensive mock drill, licensing process, and operationalisation are in progress to ensure seamless oxygen supply across the state. Mobile oxygen generation plant containers will also be procured to provide critical oxygen support,” the minister said.
The state government has also decided to expand the genome-sequencing efforts in Bengaluru. Now, samples are being sent to institutions such as the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune.
However, the state is now restarting its genome sequencing activities at the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), to increase the sampling capacity.
The state has already collected 192 samples. Out of the 60 results received so far, the JN.1 variant was found in 34. Strict protocols have been established to guide the selection of individuals for sampling, Gundu Rao said.
Karnataka has also planned to administer precautionary vaccines to individuals who have received both doses of their primary vaccination but have not yet received the booster shot.
A supply of 30,000 doses of the precautionary vaccine, Corbevax, is being sought from the Central government. Speaking to South First, Dr Ravi K, Head of the Technical Advisory Committee for Covid-19, clarified that the “precautionary dose is only for those who have not taken their third dose of the vaccine. Those who have taken the third dose do not need any further vaccination”.
Some people have not taken their precautionary dose and the TAC’s suggestion is to vaccinate such people on a priority basis, Dr Ravi added.
The state government has also decided to administer flu vaccine to all healthcare workers to insulate them from flu infections.
“All healthcare workers, including doctors and paramedical staff from both the health department and medical education sector, will receive flu vaccines to protect them from other respiratory infections and reduce the strain on the healthcare system,” the minister said.
The state government has identified hospitals in Bengaluru and other districts to establish dedicated Covid-19 isolation wards.
“To accommodate potential Covid-19 patients, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) and Victoria Hospital H Block in Bengaluru and medical college hospitals, and district government hospitals have been identified to establish dedicated Covid-19 wards,” Gundu Rao said.
The state has also initiated a death audit process to analyse Covid-19 fatalities. Of the seven deaths reported in the state since 15 December, three were individuals with comorbidities and infected with the JN.1 variant. The audit is ongoing, and further details are awaited, the minister said.
As the New Year approaches, the public has been encouraged to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and wear masks in crowded settings.
An Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign will also be launched to spread awareness.
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