7 genomic labs to be set up in Karnataka to study mutated strains found in 2nd Covid wave: Sudhakar

This study will help understand the virus better and for development of better medicine and treatment, Sudhakar said

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Tuesday said seven genomic labs will be established across the state to study the mutated strains found in the second wave of Covid-19.

"Seven genomic labs will be established across the state to study the mutated strains found in the second wave. These labs will come up at 5 medical colleges, Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru and Vijayapura District Hospital," he said.

This study will help us to understand the virus better and for development of better medicine and treatment protocols based on the nature of the virus, he said.

The Minister on Tuesday chaired a meeting with senior officials of Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education Departments to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the state and containment measures.

Aimed at ensuring preparedness for a possible third wave of Covid-19, the state government has decided to set up pediatric wards in all district hospitals, Sudhakar said.

He also said that an oxygen generation plant will be set up in every taluk hospital and district hospital across the state.

"A dedicated 70-80 bed pediatrics ward will be arranged in all district hospitals. Additional pediatricians and nursing staff will also be recruited wherever it is necessary," Sudhakar said.

A special training session will be conducted through Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) to train MBBS and other technical staff, the Minister, he was quoted as saying by his office in a release.

State has received another consignment of 1.64 lakh doses of covaxin, the Minister said, the available stock will be used to vaccinate citizens above 45 years who are due for second dose, and vaccines will be eventually made available to all once the supply increases.

Later in a tweet he said, the state has on Tuesday received 5.76 lakh doses of Covishield under central government's quota, adding it has so far got 1.14 crore doses of Covishield from the centre, while the state has procured 13.54 lakh doese directly.

Further noting that as per reports two children whose parents have recovered from Covid might have been infected from Kawasaki, Sudhakar said, malnutrition and other social factors are among the causes for this and the government is closely tracking such cases.