Bengaluru, Jul 18 (IANS): Amid complaints of seriously ill Covid patients not getting admission in some hospitals, the Karnataka government has directed all hospitals to give priority to moderately and severely ill patients, while sending the asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases to the Covid Care Centres (CCC), an official said on Saturday.

"It would be prudent to admit moderately and severely ill patients in hospitals, both government and private, and encourage asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients to get admitted to the CCCs," said Health Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey.

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He also suggested home isolation for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases, according to their medical suitability after triage.

"All hospitals are hereby advised to comply with the above recommendation in the larger public interest and for prevention of Covid mortality," Pandey said.

The Health Commissioner has highlighted that many patients are visiting various hospitals by themselves, seeking admission in the midst of surging infections.

"In the process, moderately and severely ill Covid patients are sometimes unable to get admission to the hospitals," he pointed out.

The move is aimed at avoiding unnecessary hospitalisation for harmless infections to ensure beds for seriously ill Covid patients.

On Saturday, a record number of 4,537 new cases were reported from across the state, taking Karnataka's tally to 59,652.