CM Siddaramaiah To Hold Technical Advisory Committee Meeting On Covid-19

Bengaluru: To discuss on measures to be initiated to tackle the spread of Covid-19 in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will be holding a meeting of officials concerned of State’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) ON Thursday at his official residence “Krishna” in Bengaluru City on Thursday at 1 pm in view of Covid-19 cases being reported in neighbouring Kerala.

As a precautionary measure, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Services Dinesh Gundurao has asked persons above 60 years to wear face masks compulsorily and get tested for fever, cough and cold. In Bengaluru on Wednesday, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Services Dinesh Gundurao participated in a virtual meeting with Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya along with Health Ministers of States, Union Territories and senior officials.

Dinesh Gundurao said the Union Minister for Health emphasized on the importance of proactive preparations to tackle the rising Covid-19 cases such as adequate supply of oxygen, availability of medicines, improved storage facilities and an increase in Intensive Care Units and bed capacity in hospitals.

At the virtual meeting, Rao said he highlighted the financial burden posed by the maintenance of ventilators acquired through the PM Cares Scheme and sought assistance to cover these costs.

The Karnataka Health Minister assured the Union Minister for Health and people that every possible step would be initiated to tackle the situation and curb the spread of the disease at an early stage.

Meanwhile, a circular from the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare Services stated that all bordering districts of the State to Kerala and Tamil Nadu have to be vigilant and ensure adequate testing and timely reporting of cases. However, the circular stated that at present there is no need to panic or immediately ramp up the cross border surveillance by imposing restrictions.