Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Friday said that people arriving from Maharashtra and Kerala need to go through mandatory covid-19 tests over the concern of the ‘Delta Plus’ variant of coronavirus.
After a meeting with health experts and officials, chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday directed officials to strictly monitor borders, and ensure all those who enter from these two states are compulsorily tested. “We need to ensure our borders are secure to prevent the variant from spreading in Karnataka,” he said.
He however, insisted the variant is under control in the state. Delta Plus was declared a variant of concern by the Centre. Earlier, health minister K Sudhakar said two cases of Delta Plus variant one each in Bengaluru and Mysuru were identified till date and both patients had only mild symptoms. “The Mysuru patient has completely recovered. Primary contacts of these two people have tested negative. Therefore, there is no need to panic.
Genome sequencing is being conducted every day to detect new strains,” Sudhakar said He said six new genome sequencing labs are being set up in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Hubballi, Mangaluru and Vijayapura.
On the surge in Maharashtra and Kerala, where the positivity rate is above 10%, Sudhakar said the government is ramping up testing in border areas. “We have instructed the administration in border districts to conduct more tests,” he said.
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