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Bengaluru, Jun 9: The total number of positive COVID-19 cases in Karnataka rose to 5,921 on Tuesday after the state reported two deaths and 161 new cases of the virus.

"Two deaths and 161 new COVID-19 positive cases reported from yesterday 5 pm till today at 5 pm, taking the total number of positive cases to 5,921," said Karnataka Health Department.

The toll in the state is presently at 66.

While 164 patients have been discharged today, the number of discharged patients so far is 2,605. The active cases in the state stands at 3,248.

Among the new cases, Yadgir contributed highest (61), followed by Bengaluru Urban (29) and Dakshina Kannada (23). Udupi did not report any new case. More details to follow.

Tirupati, Feb 12: A middle-aged man committed suicide out of fear that he was infected with the dreaded Coronavirus (COVID-19), which has killed over 1000 in China. The deceased identified as Balakrishna (50) was suffering from hypertension. He killed self, after being discharged from hospital, fearing it would spread to his family.  The incident happened in Chittoor district on Monday but came to light only on Tuesday.

Balakrishna was treated in Tirupati last week and told that he had an infection. After two days in the hospital, he got better and returned to his village in Chittoor district on Sunday. But fearing that he was infected with COVID-19, Balakrishna isolated himself from his family. Before committing suicide, he surfed many videos about Coronavirus and also behaved weirdly with the family members by warning them against coming close to him.

“He remained aloof, saying he was infected with coronavirus and asked his family not to come near him. When they tried to approach him, he got agitated, threw stones at them and then locked himself in a room," district medical and health officer Dr M Penchalaiah said.

He was found hanging from a tree near his mother’s grave on the village outskirts. The tragic incident took place in Seshama Naidu Kandriga in Thottambedu block.

According to reports, he was suffering from cold and fever. He went to Tirupati hospital where doctors gave him medicines for viral infection and advised him to wear mask.  He wrongly thought he had coronavirus. However, doctors told Balakrishna he did not have coronavirus.

His son Balamurali said that his father panicked and started saying he needed to kill himself to keep other safe from him and coronavirus. “He began to pelt stones and things at us to keep us away from him,” Balamurali said.

“My father was all worried that the virus would spread to us. He hanged himself to save us,” Murali said.

Thottambedu police sub-inspector Venkata Subbaiah said no case was registered as the family refused to lodge a complaint. Till now, no Coronavirus case has been reported in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Bengaluru, Mar 14: Following the footsteps of the neighbouring state Kerala, the state government has decided to deliver groceries to the mid-day meal scheme beneficiaries at the anganwadis.

The state govt has also declared one-week holiday for anganwadis, as a precautionary measure to control the spread of COVID-19 among children.

The respective district administrations have been directed to take necessary steps to ensure that the groceries are delivered to the students’ homes as well.