Covid cases inch up, Karnataka cabinet set to decide new guidelines today

Bengaluru: The state cabinet will decide on Thursday the fresh guidelines amid marginal increase in new Covid-19 cases and threat of the Omicron variant.

Karnataka on Wednesday reported 399 new cases, up from around 300 a week ago.

CM Basavaraj Bommai, who met health experts and senior officials during the day to take stock of the situation, hinted that new guidelines could be issued in view of infections appearing in clusters and gatherings during Christmas and New Year celebrations. "The cabinet meeting will primarily focus on what has to be done till March to manage Covid in the state,'' he said.

Ruling out any stringent curbs, Bommai said in some districts Covid-19 cases are on the rise while in others, the situation is under control. "The Centre has also given guidelines. Everything will be taken into consideration while taking a call on new guidelines," he added.

The cabinet, sources added, will primarily focus on protocols for management of the pandemic and treatment of people infected with the new variant and not on imposing any kind of curbs for now.

"I sought details about the Covid situation in various districts and clusters, primary and secondary contacts of new variant Omicron cases, standard protocol being followed for management and treatment of Omicron cases in various countries. These will be placed before the cabinet and fresh guidelines will be issued," Bommai said.

Experts at the meeting chaired by Bommai also suggested that curbs like night curfew, restrictions of mass gatherings or movement of people should not be imposed now as the prevailing situation doesn't warrant such severe steps.

The need of the hour is to focus on management that includes ramping up testing, quarantining positive cases, tracking their contacts, experts reportedly advised the government.

The meeting also discussed financial needs to tackle the pandemic till March 2022. "The expenditure incurred by BBMP, health and revenue departments for oxygen units, labs and other essentials for Covid management during the second wave and clearance of pending payments were also discussed," the CM added.

Earlier, he asked parents not to panic though cases were emerging in schools and hostels. "There is no need to panic, especially parents. Children have to be cautious and schools and colleges have been asked to strictly abide by Covid-19 norms," he added.

The government has already allowed entry to malls, cinema halls and commercial complexes only to those who have taken two vaccine doses. It has also been made compulsory for parents of schoolchildren to have taken two doses for their wards to attend offline classes.