From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Dec 21: With a sub-variant Omicron JN.1 of Covid showing signs of relapse, wearing face masks have been made compulsory for people above 60 while it is not mandatory for those below 60 in Karnataka. However, masks have to be worn in public.

Announcing the decisions of the high level Covid Technical Advisory Committee after a review meeting of the situation in Bengaluru on Thursday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tasked the officials to ensure that the lapses that occurred under BJP’s Basavaraj Bommai regime should not recur.

Oxygen, beds, ventilators, medicines and other essentials must be ensured and there should not be any shortages, the Chief Minister said.

“This sub-variant of Covid is serious. However, it is necessary to be cautious and vigilant," he said, adding: "Three persons have already died due to Covid in Bengaluru."

Siddaramaiah said the high-level panel has suggested that there is no need to make wearing masks compulsory for all in the present situation. “We are watching the situation," he said.

As many as 92 cases have already been detected in the State with Bengaluru alone accounting for 80. As many as 20 persons have been hospitalized, of whom seven are in ICU while the rest are having other health issues, Siddaramaiah said, pointing out that 5000 tests are being conducted daily.

The chief minister instructed the officials to ensure that all district hospitals were equipped with sufficient oxygen, beds, ventilators and other Covid essentials besides Covid vaccines.

At the same time, the chief minister advised the media not to create panic situation in their media coverage and said there is no need to panic over the situation. "It is enough if we are careful and vigilant," he said.

During the last one week, as many as 51,214 cases have been reported worldwide with an average 310 cases daily in India. There are 92 active cases in Karnataka, while Kerala accounts for the maximum of 2,041 cases, 77 in Tamil Nadu, 35 in Maharashtra, 23 in Goa and 12 in Gujarat.