Karnataka proposes doing away with district-wise colour coding for COVID-19

Bengaluru, May 11 () As the country plans for gradedexit from the COVID-19 lockdown, Karnataka Chief Minister B SYediyurappa on Monday proposed doing away with district wisecolour-coding and instead advocated strict cordoning ofcontainment zones to control the spread of pandemic. In his presentation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi viavideo conferencing, he pitched for resuming all economicactivities in stand-alone establishments while continuing therestrictions on malls, cinema halls, dining facilities andestablishments with centrally controlled air-conditioning. He has also suggested that only those with severe symptomsshould be hospitalised, and recommended home isolation of verymild/pre-symptomatic cases, along with tele-medicine care. "We propose (to the Centre) to do away with district wisered, orange and green zones. Only containment zones have to beidentified and strictly cordoned," Yediyurappa was quoted assaying by the Chief Minister's Office, which shared with mediahighlights of his presentation.

He said 50 to 100 meters around known clusters may bedeclared as containment zones and "commercial activities,including public transport, to be allowed in non-containmentzones."

With the focus on boosting economic activities amid agraded exit from the coronavirus-induced lockdown, Modiinteracted with chief ministers of various states via videoconference, fifth such exercise since the lockdown.

Several key Ministers and top officials of the stategovernment were present at the video conferencing along withYediyurappa.

Noting that all domestic and international travel shouldnot be permitted at least till the end of May, the ChiefMinister said, all international and inter state travelersshould be placed under compulsory institutional quarantine andtested. "All inter-state travelers should be issued a healthclearance certificate at the place of origin of journey bylocal authorities/hospital, those without a health clearancecertificate to be placed under compulsory quarantine," hesaid. Suggesting establishment of a nation-wide testingguideline to determine minimum number of tests per million tobe carried out in each state, Yediyurappa said "we must onlytest those with symptoms and need hospitalisation." "We must make Tele-Medicine the new protocol to approachthis pandemic. Only those with severe symptoms should behospitalised... we must advise persons above 60 years andpersons below 10 years to remain indoors and stay protected. "Especially people with comorbidity have to be protectedwith utmost care," he further noted. Karnataka has so far reported a total of 862 COVID-19positive cases, including 31 deaths and 426 discharges. Highlighting the 4 'T' principle of his government,Yediyurappa in his presentation said Karnataka has emphasisedon "Tracing, Tracking, Testing and Treating" and this approachhas largely contributed in keeping the numbers comparativelylow.

The state government has increased the number of testingfacilities on a war footing from just two with a capacity of300 samples per day in February to 35 labs which can handleover 6,000 daily now.

"Our state recently crossed the 1 lakh tests milestone.We are on track to set up 60 labs by this month end," headded.

Till date, the government through detailed survey hasidentified and tested 4,419 severe acute respiratoryinfections (SARI) cases and 12,525 influenza like illness(ILI) cases in the state for COVID-19, the Chief Ministersaid.

Asserting that it was vital to educate the populationwith the right positive messaging, he said "It is ourcollective responsibility to educate people that coronavirusis just like any other virus or flu, but it spreads more andaffects people with comorbidity, who need to be protected," headded. KSUVS VS