Schools and Colleges close in Karnataka, Chief minister hinted after New Variant Omicron fear

The Karnataka government on Saturday hinted at imposing lockdown-like measures as the amid the threats of new variant Omicron virus. New variant Omicron virus fear start in Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai hinted that if cases rise in state will close schools again.

Chief Minister Bommai said the state has observed the COVID spread at schools, colleges and hostels in Dharwad, Bengaluru and Bengaluru rural areas, and increase in cases in neighbouring Kerala. He said the state government will have to immediately take precautionary measures to control it. He said he has called a meeting of Health, disaster management officials, also COVID advisers and experts to discuss the matter and will take action accordingly.

Colleges become Corona hotspot in state, the SDM College of Medical Sciences in Dharwad district taking the count of infections on campus move to 306. Dharwad SDM college two hostels premises have been sealed. The infected students are undergoing treatment in their hostel rooms. Movement on campus is totally restricted and all possible measures are being taken to prevent infection from spreading.

On Saturday, Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar said that the varsity had become a Covid-19 cluster with 281 people on campus having tested positive this week. “I’m told there was a cultural fest and it spread there. We’ve tested all 1,788 students of the college; some results are awaited. One international school also had reported 34 cases and another 12 cases. None of these cases were severe,” K Sudhakar said.

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“We are not in a situation to impose curbs [in the state]. Marriages and other events are happening too,” said the minister. The Dharwad district administration has closed schools and colleges in a 500-metre radius of SDM college. Surrounding areas have been sanitised. Entry of visitors to the college has also been restricted.

Also Read: Karnataka New Variant fear: SDM college 306 students tests covid positive