Bengaluru, Apr 4 (IANS): Karnataka registered 16 new coronavirus positive cases, raising the total to 144, an official said on Saturday.

"As of 5 p.m. Saturday, 144 Covid positive cases have been confirmed in the state which includes four deaths and 11 discharges," a health official said.

As many as 126 Covid patients, including a pregnant woman, are in isolation and stable, except three who continue to be critical.

The 16 new cases surfaced between Friday 5 p.m. and Saturday 5 p.m.

Karnataka's 129th positive case is a 21-year-old man from Bengaluru, a contact of 58th case.

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A 57-year-old man from the same place has emerged as the 130th case. He is the father of 58th case.

Next, a 43-year-old man from the city turned positive as the 131st case, he is the son of 101st case.

The state's 132nd case is a 78-year-old man from Bengaluru with travel history to Dubai. He returned to India on March 17.

A 60-year-old Kerala man from Cochin with travel history to Germany has emerged as the 133rd case.

A 38-year-old man from Mysuru who travelled to Delhi is the 134th case.

Similarly, a 19-year-old boy from the same place with similar travel history is the 135th case.

A 39-year-old man from Mysuru with similar travel history is the 136th case.

Likewise, another 39-year-old man from Mysuru is the 137th case.

A 54-year-old man from Mysuru with travel history to Delhi is the 138th case.

A 40-year-old man from the same place is the 139th case.

Similarly, a 34-year-old man from Mysuru and a contact of 109th case is the 140th case.

A 47-year-old woman from Hospet is the 141st case.

Next, a 63-year-old woman from Udupi with travel history to Dubai is the 142nd case. She returned to India on March 22.

A 43-year-old Tablighi pilgrim from Dakshina Kannada is the 143rd case. He attended the Nizamuddin Markaz in March.

Finally, a 52-year-old Tablighi pilgrim form the same place has emerged as the 144th case. Two Tablighi pilgrims turned positive on Saturday.

Karnataka government notified a list of nine hospitals across the state as dedicated facilities to treat Covid, following Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directions.

The nine new hospitals bring 2,490 more isolated beds, 244 ICU beds and 178 ventilators at the disposal of the health department.

The nine hospitals are located at Bengaluru Urban and Rural, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Kalaburagi, Gadag, Ballari and Shivamogga.