The district administration has decided to run Covid-19 virology testing laboratory set up at GIMS in two shifts as two deaths due to Covid-19 were reported from the district. 

Moreover, considering the surge in the number of positive cases in the district, the deputy commissioner has planned to increase the number of fever clinics to 27. At present, four clinics are functioning in the district. 

Speaking to DH on Thursday, Deputy Commissioner Sharat B said, a decision has been taken to examine more number of suspected Covid-19 patients. So far, 282 throat swab samples have been tested at the laboratory established at the GIMS. Of which, 205 samples are from Kalaburagi district, he explained.

On the present situation after the Covid-19 outbreak, Sharat said, the country’s first Covid-19 death was reported from the City on March 10.

The situation was brought under control by declaring the five-km radius of the victim’s resident as a containment zone. “Our plans derailed after 26 people who returned from the religious congregation did neither reveal their travel history nor did they visit the hospital to undergo a medical test. 

Tracing the Delhi returnees has become a challenge for the district administration,” he explained.

Jamaat returnees have taken treatment at the private hospitals without alerting the district administration. Even the hospital managements too failed to bring it to our notice. The private hospitals sent the patients to the district government hospital only when their condition worsened.

The administration has been appealing to the people who came in contact with the positive patients to remain home quarantined. They are neglecting quarantine norms and the district administration will not tolerate such negligent acts, he warned.

On tightening the lockdown norms in the wake of an increase in the number of positive cases, the deputy commissioner said the people are roaming on the roads despite the enforcement of lockdown. The need of the hour is to control the further spread of the virus. The main roads of the City are being closed. The proprietors of fuel stations have been directed to supply fuel only to those who have engaged in essential works, Sharat explained.

To a query on the steps taken to control the spread of the virus, the DC said permission has been given to sell meat and chicken and take the parcel from the hotels in several places of the State. However, we have not yet given permission for it.

All the shops are being closed to control the spread of the virus as the first country’s Covid-19 death was reported from the City. Besides GIMS and ESIC hospitals, trauma hospital located on the GIMS premises is being utilised to quarantine the patients. About 700 beds have been kept ready for the suspected patients in the district, he said.

After an appeal made to the City police commissioner and the superintendent of police, three KSRP battalions have arrived to the district. They have been deployed in the prime areas to check the movement of people.