Karnataka government could extend lockdown due to high Covid positivity rate in state: Report

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May 16, 2021

KEY STORY

The recent spurt in the number of fresh covid-19 cases forced the Karnataka government to enforce lockdown in the state which will run till May 24. With the Covid-19 positivity rate still remaining high in the state, however, the government is contemplating the decision to extend the lockdown.
Early signs have shown that the second wave of the pandemic may spiral down by the first week of June but health authorities and experts have asked the government to remain cautious over their actions.
Dr. Balram Bhargava, the director-general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), had recently suggested that lockdown should continue at places where the Covid-19 positivity rate is more than 10 percent. With most districts in Karnataka currently possessing a positivity rate of over 10 percent, the extension of lockdown is likely. The final decision about the same will be taken by the government by May 20.
Karnataka had enforced a 2-week lockdown on April 28 which was later extended as the number of fresh infections also went high. Many research agencies studying the pandemic have suggested various measures to curb the spread of the virus to the government including the option of having a lengthy lockdown.
“The lockdown should be extended by at least a week in Karnataka after May 24, while stricter curbs for two weeks will be ideal. Considering various factors, including rising positivity and fatalities, the extension is necessary,” epidemiologist Dr Giridhar R Babu, a member of the Lancet task force, was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

CONCLUSION

In eight districts, the positivity rate is more than 30 percent and over 20 percent in more than 17 districts. As far as the high positivity is concerned, experts have cited many factors.
“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,” said Dr MK Sudarshan, the chairman of the state technical advisory committee on Covid-19.