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

New variant Omicron virus fear start in Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai head pain starts more people have tested positive for Covid-19 at the SDM College of Medical Sciences in Dharwad district of Karnataka, taking the total number of infections on campus 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.

He, however, ruled out imposing stricter Covid-19 restrictions in the state. “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.

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Until now, no infection has been reported outside and surrounding areas of the college campus. The district commissioner has appealed to the people to immediately get themselves tested at nearby Primary Health Centre in case of any symptom. “Everyone should take precautions and follow Covid guidelines,” he said.

Karnataka government issued fresh coronavirus guidelines as precautionary measures. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Saturday held an emergency meeting on the new COVID-19 variant, ‘Omricon’ as two South African nationals have tested COVID positive at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda international airport earlier on Saturday.

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Intensifying screening of international passengers at airports, heightened border checks, asking educational institutions to postpone their public events were among the measures announced by the government, which also hinted that based on the COVID cases and scenario in the coming days, Karnataka may take certain stringent measures.