Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP/HB)

Udupi, Aug 23: Deputy commissioner (DC) of the district, G Jagadeesha, said that the administration has set a target for itself to bring the Covid positivity rate down to below two percent by August 30. He revealed that towards this end, the daily tests have been increased to 6,000 to 7,000 per day from the previous 3,000. "By the end of this month, this rate should be brought down to below two percent. All the officials and doctors in the health department have been issued instructions towards this end. The district administration and zilla panchayat have been closely observing the progress. If the positivity rate falls to below two percent by August 30, we can ask the government to permit us to start physical classes," he explained.

In reply to questions raised by the media persons, he said that compared to other places in the state, Covid situation is not improving in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. “For the last two months, the rate has been hovering around 2.5 to 3 percent. At a few places, Covid rule violations have happened. We have increased the number of tests per day. If the violations are stopped, it will be easier to control the pandemic. The meeting of the experts committee also feels that we should stop violations. In many cases, there is negligence in wearing masks. Therefore, the district administration has made Covid test compulsory for those not wearing masks,” he said.

Jagadeesha insisted that at any cost, the rate of Covid rule violations should be brought down. Schools and colleges have been opened in other districts but not us. We should be stern. People have to support testing and they should follow Covid rules, he requested.

The DC said that Udupi stands second in the state as far as vaccination is concerned. "We have vaccinated 64 percent of eligible people. In the case of people above 60 years of age group, our achievement is 85 percent. The remaining 15 percent should be covered. In The first and second wave, most deaths have occurred in the above 60 age group. Therefore, it has been decided to undertake door to door visits to complete the remaining15 percent vaccination gap, he stated.

"At present, about 20,000 are waiting for the second dose. For the last one week or so we have been getting 8,000 to 10,000 vaccines every day. We will see that all the eligible people get vaccinated. Our district has the capacity to vaccinate 20,000 every day," he stated.

The DC informed that 65 teams have been working all over the district for Covid tests, and on the spot swab collections. He said that every team has been provided with 65 swab collectors and 65 data enterers. He insisted that the available facility should be utilised to the maximum. Noting that currently each person is collecting 60 to 70 swabs per day, he said that the district can easily reach its target if the people increase it to 100 to 120 swabs per day.