Karnataka government is likely to extend lockdown

Bengaluru: As the surge in Covid cases and related fatalities remains high, the Karnataka government is considering to extend the lockdown beyond May 24. Even though there are some indications that the second wave may recede by the first week of June, experts have advised to take a cautionary approach to the government.

Dr Balram Bhargava, the director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that places with more than 10% positivity rate should continue to keep the restrictions. Except for Chitradurga and Haveri, most districts in Karnataka have more than a 10% positivity rate. The government officials stated if the condition does not improve by May 20, then it is likely that the lockdown would be extended.

The state government had imposed a two-week curfew on April 28.  But, it failed to decrease the number of Covid cases, hence, it enforced a stringent lockdown of the same duration on May 10.

Several agencies like the Lancet India Taskforce, have shared strategies with the government to prevent the further spread of the infection. An extended lockdown is among the recommendations. Epidemiologist, Dr Giridhar R Babu, a member of the Lancet Taskforce said, “The lockdown should be extended by at least a week in Karnataka after May 24, while strict turns for two weeks will be ideal. Considering various factors, including rising positivity and fatalities, the extension is necessary.”

The positivity rate in eight districts is more than 30 per cent, with Mysore (38.1%) topping the list. 17 districts have more than 20 per cent rate and over 10 per cent in four districts. Many theories as to the rise of the level of infectivity have been proposed by the experts. Mutation in the virus being the most prominent of those theories. Reverse migration because of the lockdown, mostly from Bengaluru to rural parts, is another major factor.

Dr M K Sudarshan, the chairman of the state technical advisory committee on Covid 19 said, ” We must consider factors such as decreased number of tests and limiting of testing to symptomatic patients and their primary contacts at government labs. We had anticipated the present scenario as the reduced number of tests would naturally result in higher positivity rates.”

He further cited that he found the current lockdown to be more effective than the partial one. He assured that the overall Covid situation may get better by May end or the first week of June, according to three mathematical models that the committee has received from different agencies. Dr Sudarshan added that “We have been giving reports and inputs regularly to the government and the subject of lockdown extension is under discussion. We will review the situation by May 20and give our inputs to the government.”

“A decision on the lockdown issue will be taken at an appropriate time,” said CN Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka