Communal tension in DK is creation of BJP; not failure of police: Param

Mysuru, Mar 13: A state-of-the-art viral research laboratory in the city has been identified as one of the testing laboratories for the detection of COVID-19, official sources said here on Friday.

The samples of suspected cases could be sent to the lab for analysis and it would take about three hours to get the results.

The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), which was set up from Central grants and functions at the Microbiology Department of K.R. Hospital, has been authorised to carry out the tests. This lab in Mysuru is among the 52-plus laboratories in the country.

Though the VRDL is equipped to carry out the tests, the sole authority of confirming the virus lies with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune. VRDL is also the sole agency for collection and transportation of suspected samples of COVID-19 to NIV.

VRDL, which is part of the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, functions on the advice of NIV.

According to the guidelines issued by ICMR, the results of the tests done here have to be shared with NIV the same day and the labs are not supposed to disclose the results since the NIV is the only authority to declare positive cases. Also, confirmation from the NIV should be awaited in case the samples test negative for COVID-19. The ICMR, in the guidelines made available on its website, has advised clinicians at labs to isolate the patient tested positive for COVID-19 in the identified facility and follow bio-safety precautions.

VRDL is a part of a network of labs established by the Department of Health Research, Government of India. The rise in the number of viral outbreaks and the resultant mortality had been cited as key reasons for the launch of network of such hi-tech labs in the country.

The NIV and the National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi, are the top laboratories for the network, while the National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, is the supervising authority for the data generated by the network of labs, sources added.

Bengalur, May 15: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan on Friday said that stern action will be taken against the persons responsible for organising the village temple fair in Ramanagara district.

"Stern action will be taken against the person responsible for organising the festival. This should not have happened," the Deputy CM said.

Flouting all social distancing norms, people had gathered in large numbers for a temple fair in Kolagondanahalli village of Ramanagara. People were even not wearing masks.

They had taken permission for gathering from Panchayat Development Officer NC Kalmatt.

Kalmatt has been suspended by Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner following a report by the Tehsildar.

Meanwhile, 45 more COVID-19 cases have been reported from Karnataka, taking the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 1,032 on Friday, according to the state Health Department.

Mangaluru, Jun 27: The second flight chartered by the Karnataka Sports and Cultural Club (KSCC) to repatriate stranded Kannadigas in UAE landed at Mangalore International Airport at 6 p.m. today.

The Air Arabia flight with 171 passengers took off from Sharjah international airport around 1 am (UAE Time). The flight had 18 pregnant women, 9 children, 3 infants, 8 senior citizens, 20 people with medical emergencies besides those have lost jobs, stranded visit visa holders and those who had reported deaths in their families.

KSCC had set up help desk to finalize list of passengers and guide them throughout the process. All the legal procedures were carried out smoothly.

KSCC president Mohammed Ismail accorded a warm welcome to all passengers. Rapid tests for Covid-19 were conducted before departure. Mandatory quarantine for all the passengers was arranged in three hotels in Mangaluru for a period of seven days.

KSCC office bearers Ismail, Javed, Safwan and volunteers were present at the airport during the time of departure. KSCC has expressed its gratitude to Consulate General, DC of DK district, Umar U H and Ataullah Jokkate for their support.