16 percent have developed antibodies against covid in Karnataka: Health Minister

News Network
November 4, 2020

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Bengaluru, Nov 4: A serological survey carried out to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 in Karnataka has revealed that while 16.4 percent of the 15,624 samples studied had developed antibodies against Covid, 12.7 percent had a current (active) infection.

Minister for Health and Medical Education Dr K Sudhakar, speaking after releasing the results on Wednesday, said that the overall adjusted prevalence of COVID-19 in the State was 27.3 percent (IgG and active infection combined).

The survey from September 3 to September 16 included the proportion of people who have recently had a Covid-19 infection and those who currently have an active infection with SARS-CoV-2. The sample population studied were aged 18 years and above in all the 30 districts, including eight BBMP areas, were included in the survey. The survey was carried out in 290 hospitals and in some population settings.

The study used the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and RT-PCR for the diagnosis of acute infection. Serum IgG antibody tests have also been performed to understand the protection offered by the immune response. Standard ICMR protocols and the state-approved ICMR network of labs were used, he said.

“Although 16,585 people were surveyed covering the three risk categories (low, moderate and high), the analysis was performed on the results of 15,624 people including the results of the RAT antibody tests plus RT-PCR and COVID Kavach ELISA corresponded to the lineage list.

Giridhar R. Babu, a member of the state’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), said up to 19 districts have a high case-to-infection ratio (more than 40). “There is a need to improve case detection through a syndromic approach here, to improve testing and ensure that other public health actions (avoiding 3Cs and tracking 3Ws) are implemented effectively”.

The 19 districts covered by the survey are Vijayapura, Belagavi, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Raichur, Ramanagar, Haveri, Chamarajanagar, Bidar, Davanagere, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, Kolar, Kodagu, Mandya, Chikmagalur, Ballari, Bengaluru Rural, Hassan.

Districts with a low case-to-infection ratio (BBMP Bommanahalli, BBMP East, BBMP West, BBMP South, Mysuru) suggest that the strategy employed for testing is reasonable and can be replicated in other districts, he added.

Out of about 7.07 crore population in Karnataka, the study estimates that 1.93 crore (27.3 per cent) are either currently infected or already infected in the past, as of September 16, 2020. he declares.

According to the second round of ICMR serological surveys, the weighted and adjusted prevalence among people aged ≥ 10 years was 6.6 percent, urban slums comprising 15.6 percent and urban non-slum areas 8.2 percent.

At the state level, it was estimated that there were 40 undetected infected people for each case confirmed by RT-PCR, resulting in a case-to-undetected infection (CIR) ratio of 1:40. The case / infection ratio varied from 10 to 111 depending on the unit. In the national seroprevalence survey conducted by the ICMR, the CIR was 81.6 to 130.1 in the first round (May), which improved in the second round to 26 to 32 infections per case.

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News Network
January 3,2025

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BJP MLA Vedavyas Kamath and several BJP leaders were arrested in Mangaluru during a protest organized by the Dakshina Kannada BJP Yuva Morcha near Mini Vidhana Soudha. 

The protest targeted the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government, accusing it of fostering an environment of harassment and distress, which the BJP claims has led to multiple suicides among contractors and government officials.

Key Points:

Addressing the gathering before his arrest, Kamath criticized the Congress government, alleging that neither contractors nor honest officials have found peace since it assumed power. He remarked, "Suicide seems to be the only 'guarantee' under this administration."

Kamath cited the suicide of contractor Sachin, allegedly driven to death by harassment from individuals linked to Minister Priyank Kharge.

Other cases highlighted included the suicides of Chandrashekar, superintendent of the Maharshi Valmiki Development Corporation, and Rudresh, who was allegedly harassed by an aide of Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar.

Kamath also referred to a Dalit inspector, Parashuram, who reportedly succumbed to alleged torture connected to Congress MLA Channareddy Patil’s son.

He accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar of remaining silent due to political fears over their positions.

Prominent BJP leaders such as Ramesh Kandetthu, Premananda Shetty, Vikas Puttur, Nandan Mallya, Monappa Bhandary, Pooja Pai, Deputy Mayor Bhanumathi, and Sanjay Prabhu participated in the protest alongside party workers and municipal council members.

The protest escalated, resulting in the arrest of Kamath and other BJP leaders by the police, marking a dramatic standoff between BJP and Congress.

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News Network
January 3,2025

Karnataka's Urban Development Minister, BS Suresha (Byrathi), has initiated a detailed investigation into ₹5,527 crore worth of projects executed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship Smart Cities Mission in six cities of the state.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of work in Belagavi, Davangere, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, and Tumakuru. To ensure accountability, Suresha announced the formation of a committee comprising experts from universities and the Indian Institute of Science. The committee will assess the projects and submit its findings within three months.

Bengaluru, however, is excluded from the probe as it falls under the jurisdiction of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Launched in 2015, the Smart Cities Mission aims to enhance urban infrastructure across 100 cities in India, funded jointly by the central and state governments. Karnataka has spent ₹6,405 crore under this mission, including ₹877.72 crore in Bengaluru.

"Most of the funds have been allocated to roads, drainage, and park maintenance," Suresha lamented in a statement. "The focus should have been on creating permanent infrastructure such as smart schools, hospitals, libraries, and bus stands."

Suresha pointed out that, on average, each Smart City in Karnataka received ₹990 crore, with spending patterns revealing 36% on roads, 8% on energy, 2% on education, 2% on healthcare, and 5% on sports. He criticized this distribution, emphasizing that projects under the mission should have developed long-lasting government assets instead of temporary solutions like roads and drains.

With the mission slated to conclude in March 2025, Suresha urged the remaining funds to be directed towards constructing world-class smart schools. "This will enable children from economically weaker sections to access quality education," he said.

The minister also revealed that he had received multiple complaints from elected representatives about substandard work, particularly in Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Shivamogga. The probe, he assured, will prioritize transparency and accountability.

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News Network
January 4,2025

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Bengaluru, Jan 4: Kannada star Dr Shivarajkumar, son of Kannada film legend Dr Rajkumar, has been discharged from the hospital in Miami, US, following complete recovery from cancer, family sources confirmed on Saturday.

Nivedita, Shivarajkumar’s daughter, has shared a picture showing the actor and family in a relaxed mode. Sources further stated that Shivarajkumar will be in the US for follow-ups and resting for one month and he will be back for the shooting by Feb first or the second week.

Shivarajkumar is expected to begin shooting of the Telugu superstar Ramcharan-starrer pan India movie soon. 

Earlier, Shivarajkumar shared a video from the US on the first day of 2025, detailing his journey of overcoming cancer and assuring fans of his return.

In the video, he conveyed his New Year wishes to everyone and said, “I am hesitant to speak as I might get emotional at this moment. Leaving Karnataka was a very emotional experience for me. Under these circumstances, fear is inevitable, but the support of my fans has significantly reduced it.”

He continued, “The way the doctors took care of me, gave me immense courage. While shooting for the movie ‘45’, I underwent chemotherapy and even filmed the climax fight scene. As the date to leave for the US for treatment approached, I became anxious. However, my wife Geetha and daughter Nivedita stood by me throughout.”

“Dr Manohar, who treated me, cared for me like a child. My urinary bladder has been replaced, but there is no need for anyone to panic. I am doing well and will be back with double the energy. I thank all my fans for their unwavering support,” Shivarajkumar assured.

Geetha Shivarajkumar, his wife, who had appeared in the video alongside him, stated that all the medical reports had come back negative, and it was officially declared that Shivarajkumar is cancer-free. “He recovered because of the blessings of his fans, and I will never forget this,” she said.

The actor underwent surgery at a hospital in Miami, US, where his cancerous bladder was removed. According to the surgeon, Dr Murugesh Manoharan, an artificial bladder was created using Shivarajkumar’s intestine.

In November, Shivarajkumar had spoken publicly about his illness, acknowledging that he was human like everyone else. While he didn’t disclose it was cancer at the time, he said, “At the end of the day, I am a human being. I have a health issue and am currently undergoing treatment for it. I have completed a couple of treatment sessions, and a few more are pending. After that, I will undergo surgery, either in India or the US.”

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