From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jan 10: Bringing Karnataka in the Covid Protection Ring is the aim of our government, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday and expressed the confidence of achieving the goal.
Speaking after launching the Booster Dose Vaccination programme for health workers and senior citizens with comorbidities in Bengaluru, he said the State has achieved 100% first dose vaccination and 77% second dose vaccination.
"We want to reach 80% by end of January and action would be taken to intensify the second dose jabbing. We will achieve the target of bringing Karnataka into the Covid Protection Ring," he said.
Corona warriors are real sentinels of nation
“Corona warriors are the real sentinels of the nation. Just like the soldiers are protecting the country at the borders, the Corona warriors are protecting every family in the country,’’ Bommai said.
Despite facing many challenges in discharging their duties, the Chief Minister lauded the Asha workers, doctors and nurses for rendering yeomen service. “They are the real guardians of the nation," Bommai said.
"Vaccination is the only way to protect ourselves from Covid. The second and third waves of the pandemic have intensified due to the laxity on vaccination by some countries. Western countries have now made vaccination compulsory,’’ he said.
Pointing out that India has vaccinated three times more than what USA has achieved, he said even an advanced country like USA has not achieved full vaccination of its population. But India with a population of 130 crore has done much better.
“The vaccine developed in our own country has proved very effective. The credit for this success should go to the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Covid frontline workers," the Chief Minister said.
Resistance against any revolutionary decisions and programmes is natural. Vaccination also came under extensive debate with some opposing it. Covid does not differentiates on caste, he said and urged the people to cooperate with health workers.
The Chief Minister the State Government would not hesitate to take action against anyone who violates the Covid rules. There would be no differentiation in dealing with them.
Bommai said FIR has been registered against 30 members who had participated in the Congress padayatra for the Mekedatu project.
"Whoever violates the Covid rules, whether a common man or a big leader, there is no differentiation. Action will be taken in a uniform way according to the law" Bommai said.
He advocated the need for more intense vigil against the spread of Covid. The State has registered 12,000 Covid cases on Sunday alone, of which Bengaluru has accounted for about 9,000. Positivity rate in the State has risen to 6.8% and it is 10% in Bengaluru.
Karnataka is in the third spot in the country in Covid cases and more precautionary measures are needed," he said.