Bengaluru is witnessing seven Covid cases per minute

Bengaluru: Karnataka records 11 lakh Covid cases and with this, it becomes the third state in the country to record such a large number of cases. Of the 10 people getting affected across the state every minute, seven belong to Bengaluru. As the Covid deaths have risen at an alarming rate, one patient loses life every hour due to Covid in the city, whereas in Karnataka, one patient is dying every 30 minutes.

Tests have increased

There is also an increase in the test with 90 persons being tested per minute across the state and 53 people in Bengaluru. Such shocking figures have emerged as the city recorded its highest rise on Thursday with 10,497 fresh cases while the state’s tally was 14,738. Not only Bengaluru, but other districts are also witnessing a sharp increase in cases.

The rapid rise in the number of cases could be due to the increased testing as the city is witnessing close to 88,000 tests as against 15 to 30k per day in the initial phases of the first wave in 2020. “There is no doubt that the caseload this time is more than last time and the wave is stronger and larger. Even if testing is more, the numbers of cases are alarming”, said Dr Sachin Kumar (Senior Critical Care Medicine, Sakra World Hospital).

“Cases are increasing exponentially. As per the modelling report, we are in the ascent phase and cases are expected to hit the peak. Conducting more tests is better in early identification of cases and will aid in track, trace and treat principle and contain the further spread”, said Dr Pradeep Rangappa (Senior Consultant- Critical Care, Columbia Asia Referral Yeshwanthpur).

Dr Basavaraj Kuntoji (Consultant – Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Malleswaram) stated, “India accounts for about 4.67 per cent of all active cases worldwide and is listed in the top five countries to have the most affected cases. A possible explanation could be that the new strain has a higher transmission rate. Another theory could be due to poor adherence to safety protocols and since the testing for Covid-19 has become mandatory before travelling, most of the population is forced to get themselves tested. However, these theories need to be established with more research.”

Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said that the technical advisory committee will submit a report on increasing Covid cases and containment measures. The report will be given to the CM who will have a discussion on this at an all-party meeting on April 18. In the meantime, BBMP chief commissioner, Gaurav Gupta said that the decision on the Karaga festival will be discussed again.