Sixth COVID-19 death in Karnataka; 16 new cases reported in

state, tally rises to 197

(Eds: Adds details)

Bengaluru, Apr 9 () A 80-year old woman from Gadagdistrict became the sixth COVID-19 related fatality inKarnataka, where 16 new positive cases were confirmed, pushingthe tally in the state to 197, the Health department said onThursday.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa onThursday said all his cabinet colleagues are of the unanimousopinion to extend the lockdown for about 15 days after April14 and a final decision in this regard will be taken afterconsulting the Prime Minister on Saturday.

The elderly woman who died in Gadag, had a history ofSevere Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), officials said.

"The patient got admitted at Gadag hospital on April4, on 6th her test results came out as positive, investigationis on to find the source of infection to her," Primary andSecondary Education Minister Suresh Kumar told reportersbriefing about the bulletin.

He said about 42 contacts of the deceased patient haveundergone test and all results were negative, results ofeleven more contacts were still awaited.

According to bulletin as of 5 pm on April 9,cumulatively 197 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmedin the state, it includes sixth deaths and 30 discharges.

Among the 16 positive cases, two from Bengaluru cityand one from Dharwad had attended Tablighi-Jamaat congregationat Delhi from March 13-18; while 10 are contacts of patientswho have already tested positive- one each from Mandya andChikkaballapura, two from Mysuru, and three from Bagalkote andBelagavi.

Three others from Bengaluru city are with a history ofSevere Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI).

Out of 16 cases, three from Bagalkote are children-two boys aged 4 and 13 and the girl is 9 years old.

Contact tracing has been initiated and is in progressfor all the cases, the department said.

Citing progression of cases, Kumar said, it some whereshows the containment measures were yielding results to anextent.

Out of 161 active cases, 159 patients (including 1pregnant woman) are in isolation at designated hospitals andare stable, while 2 are in ICU (one each on oxygen andventilator).

Out of total 197 cases detected and confirmed in thestate so far, 6 cases are transit passengers of Kerala whohave landed in airports in Karnataka and were being treated.

From across the state most number of infections havebeen reported in Bengaluru with 68 cases, followed by Mysuru37 and Dakshina Kannada (12).

Those discharged include seventeen patients fromBengaluru, four from Dakshina Kannada, three from Davangere,two each from Kalaburagi and Uttara Kannada, and one each fromBengaluru Rural and Kodagu; while among those dead are twofrom Kalaburagi and one each from Bengaluru, Bagalkote, Gadagand Tumakuru.

Sharing details about Tablighi-Jamaat cases, Kumarsaid out of total 1,176 samples tested, 976 are negative, and40 are positive, while results of 160 are still awaited.

Asked whether all Jamaat related people in Karnatakahave been traced, he said, about 581 people are still outsidethe state, we have informed those states.

Also these are dynamic figures, it will keep changing.

The Minister said COVID-19 task force of Karnatakathat met on Thursday has decided that all the secondarycontacts will be tested for the infection.

He also said, list of COVID-19 hotspots is the statewill be out probably by tomorrow.

A committee of health experts tasked with devising anexit strategy for coronavirus lockdown in Karnataka haverecommended its continuation in "hotspots" along with somerelaxations.

Several members of the cabinet had also supportedthese recommendations.

Meanwhile, stating that all his cabinet colleagueshave unanimously opined that the lockdown should be extendedfor about 15 days, after April 14 to check COVID-19,Yediyurappa after the cabinet meet said, "we will take a finalcall on whether to relax the lockdown after April 14,following discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Moditomorrow (April 11)."

Ministers and Members of Legislature in Karnataka willtake a 30 per cent cut each in their salaries and allowancesto fund the fight against coronavirus in the state, for ayear.

An ordinance to reduce the salaries of Ministers andLegislators by 30 per cent for one year to meet the exigenciesarising out of COVID-19 pandemic was approved by the statecabinet headed by Yediyurappa on Thursday. KSU SS