Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (MS)
Mangaluru/Udupi, Dec 26: In Dakshina Kannada district, efforts to combat the escalating Covid situation have seen an increase in testing. Despite a recent surge in positivity rates, only 62 individuals were tested on Christmas Day, resulting in the detection of five confirmed cases. Unfortunately, a resident of Puttur, living in Bengaluru, succumbed to the virus, bringing the total death toll to two. Presently, there are nine active cases, with three individuals receiving intensive care treatment — two in private hospitals and one in Wenlock. Two others are being monitored at home.
While the health minister has directed daily tests for 331 people, the health department fell short on Christmas Day but plans to scale up testing in the coming days.
The district health officer, Dr Thimmaiah, provided insight into the current Covid wave status. The throat swab sample of a 40-year-old man from Jharkhand, who passed away in the district, has been sent to the Genomic Sequencing Laboratory in Pune. The report will determine whether the JN 1 Covid variant was involved.
In contrast, Udupi reported no new infections among the 94 individuals tested on Monday, maintaining a Covid-free status in the district so far.