Dr.Sudhakar, Health and Medical Education Minister of Karnataka, chaired a meeting with senior officials of Health and Family Welfare and Medical Departments to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the state and containment measures. Speaking to media after the meeting, Minister said that oxygen generation plant will be set up in every taluk hospital and district hospital across the state. A dedicated 70-80 bed pediatrics ward will be arranged in all district hospitals. Additional pediatricians and nursing staff will also be recruited wherever it is necessary. A special training session will be conducted through RGUHS to train MBBS and other technical staff, said the Minister.
Seven genomic labs will be established across the state to study the mutated strains found in the second wave. These labs will come up at 5 medical colleges, Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru, and Vijayapura District Hospital. This study will help us to understand the virus better and for the development of better medicine and treatment protocol based on the nature of the virus.
Easing restrictions
Technical Advisory Committee has submitted its report and CM will decide on modalities of easing restrictions gradually. Experts have advised that restrictions can be eased if the positivity rate is less than 5% and the number of cases reduces to 5,000. However, the positivity rate is still high in many districts. So we need to exercise caution, Minister said.
The state has received another consignment of 1.64 lakh doses of Covaxin. The available stock will be used to vaccinate citizens above 45 years who are due for a second dose. Vaccine will be eventually made available to all once the supply increases, he added.
Tackling the Black Fungus
Black fungus infection is treatable. However, in some cases where the infection has reached eyes, removal becomes inevitable to weed out even the tiniest trace of the infection so that it does not invade the brain. If the fungus invades the brain it is very dangerous. Hence eyes are removed to stop the spread to the brain and not due to lack of medicine. Treatment of black fungus will be decided by Ophthalmologists, ENT Specialists based on the condition of each case. I am in constant touch with Union Minister to ensure a sufficient supply of medicine, Minister said.
It is reported that two kids whose parents have recovered from Covid might have been infected from Kawasaki. Malnutrition and other social factors are among the other causes. The government is closely tracking such cases, he said.
The third wave
Sudhakar said that there is no question of hiding numbers. “We have provided information to even opposition leaders whenever they have asked. We cannot say that the third wave has started. The second wave is yet to subdue. We must take care of our children to protect them from viruses,” he said.
“Vaccination centers should not deny vaccine once the slot is confirmed. Action will be initiated against those centres which deny vaccine even after slot confirmation,” Sudhakar reiterated.