Bengaluru, Jul 31 (IANS): Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa briefed Governor Vajubhai Vala on the COVID-19 situation and measures taken to contain the pandemic in the state, an official said on Friday.

"The Chief Minister called on Vala at Raj Bhavan in the city along with state Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai and explained him that tracing, tracking, testing and treating were in full swing to reduce the infection cases," said the official here.

The Governor has advised the state government to ramp up testing and also use Ayurvedic and Homeopathy medicine to contain the coronavirus spread.

"The Governor has suggested the government to ban sale and distribution of chewing tobacco, ghutka, pan masala and supari, as drugs were being sold in pouches in the state, and youth were getting addicted to it," said the official.

Yediyurappa assured the Governor that his advice would be considered and action taken to reduce the drug addiction menace.

With 5,483 positive cases from across the state on Friday, Karnataka's COVID-19 tally shot up to 1,24,115, including 72,005 active after 49,788 were discharged so far, with 3,130 in the last 24 hours, while 2,314 succumbed to the infection since March 9, with 84 during the day.

As the epicentre of the pandemic in the southern state, Bengaluru reported 2,220 fresh cases, taking its tally to 72,005, including 37,618 active after 16,896 were discharged till date, with 1,113 since Thursday, while 1,029 died of the infection so far, with 20 in the day.

Of the 609 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) across the state, 336 are in Bengaluru hospitals, according to the state health bulletin.