Covid-19: Officials hint at second wave, screening at checkposts ramped up

A slight negligence by the public, in following precautionary measures, may prove fatal, warn medical experts and authorities, as the number of Covid-19 positive cases have started rising slowly again in the region.

If people are not cautious, the second wave is imminent, they warn. Movement of people has returned to normalcy in Mysuru and the residents seem to have shed fear for the virus. Covid norms like wearing mask and social distancing is neglected.

There is a gradual increase in the number of positive cases in Mysuru district. While the number of positive cases was 10 on February 15, it increased from 20 to 29 in the last three days. On February 22, the number of active cases in Mysuru was 159, Hassan-61, Mandya-26 and Chamarajanagar-7. The total number of deaths so far is 1,029, 466, 152 and 112 respectively.

The Union Health Ministry has said that five states, namely, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have seen a spike in the number of daily new cases of Covid-19.

As a number of students from Kerala have tested positive, with the neighbouring state witnessing a spike in Covid positive cases, the health authorities have swung into action. Screening at checkposts have been strengthened. The Health personnel, with the help of Revenue and Police department, are subjecting passengers to thermal screening. If any variation is found, they are shifted to the nearby healthcare centre for Covid test.

With the state government making RT-PCR test report mandatory for those entering Karnataka from Kerala, there was confusion at Bavali, HD Kote taluk.

The officials refused to allow people without Covid negative report. As vehicles started lining up on the highway, they were thermally screened and two-day relaxation was given to trucks and goods vehicle drivers to get the reports. Three medical teams are deputed at the checkpost.

Meanwhile, Mysuru District In-charge Minister S T Somashekar, during a meeting with top officials of the Police department, said that all vehicles entering the state from Kerala should be checked, as there are signs of a second wave of Covid spread.

District Health Officer Dr Amarnath said, “All precautions are taken at checkposts and the team is gearing up to tackle any second wave in the district.”

With the new strain of Covid infection spreading at an alarming level in Maharashtra, there are possibilities of the migrants returning to their native places. It may be recalled that thousands returned to Mandya and other districts in the region, once Maharashtra went into lockdown last year.

Mandya Superintendent of Police K Parashuram said that the people are allowed into the state after checking them for Covid negative report at checkposts. Only those who had undergone tests within 72 hours are allowed to enter the state. However, there are no checkposts at the district borders. The department is working in tandem with the Health and Revenue department officials and all passengers from Kerala and other states are subject to thermal screening, he said.

Chamarajanagar district administration, which shares border with Kerala is on high alert.