Mosque allows demolition of its wall to ease traffic flow, hands over land to BBMP

Bengaluru, Jul 6: Criminal cases will be registered against private hospitals that refuse treatment to COVID-19 patients, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference here at Vidhana Soudha, he said: "No hospital should refuse to admit patients and if any hospital is found denying treatment criminal cases will be registered against them."

He spoke to media persons after returning from his surprise visit to Jayanagar General Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Chest Hospital responded to the questions regarding private hospitals refusing to treat covid patients.

"The government has come up with 6 different systems for treatment of COVID-19 patients. COVID care centres, government medical colleges, private medical college, government hospitals, corporate hospitals and home isolation with proper facilities and according to government guidelines," the minister added.

Dr Sudhakar gave the statistics of 4 metropolitan cities in the country including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.

"Bengaluru's and the mortality rate is the lowest at 1.46%. The aim is to increase testing by optimal utilisation of capacity especially in private labs. Once we increase testing, it is natural that the positive cases will also increase," he said.

"So citizens need not panic due to this but should take all precautionary measures. He advised to get tested in the nearest fever clinics as soon as any symptoms like cough, fever etc are found. Guidelines regarding the home isolation will be released soon," the minister said.

He announced that 400 ambulances will be deployed in Bengaluru and 2 each for every ward.

He said that the government recommended patients at private hospitals will be provided with insurance under Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust.

"If private hospitals refuse to admit the patients, call 1912 helpline to get assistance. If admitted in Private hospital voluntarily the treatment cost will be borne by patients as per the rates fixed by the government," Sudhakar said.

He said that the cost of testing at private labs has been capped at Rs 2,200 as per test.

Bengaluru, Jun 28: Criminal cases will be lodged against people for not adhering to the COVID-19 protocol in the city, said a top police official on Sunday.

"Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) and BBMP (officials) are on the streets to enforce wearing of mask and social distancing. Warnings now, criminal cases will follow," said Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao.

He exhorted people to insist on everybody wearing a mask and maintaining social distance.

"Urge every Bengalurean to enforce mask enforcement and social distancing. If people argue, call 100. We are ready to respond to your calls," said Rao.

Assuring the city residents, he said one should not worry about others being high and mighty while making sure everybody follows the Covid precautions.

"Don't bother about high and mighty factor, whosoever it is, just tell people around you to wear mask and not hanging around neck," said the Commissioner.

On Saturday, DCP Rohini Katoch Sepat conducted a special drive to ensure everybody is following the Covid rules.

"Conducted a special drive along with BBMP marshals, imposed fine for not wearing mask and social distancing," said Sepat.

The senior police officer had also sealed down some shops for not conforming to the social distancing directions.

Sepat personally made announcements through a megaphone, spoke to shopkeepers, pedestrians and walked the streets in enforcing the rules.

Similarly, Rao also warned commercial establishments of raids and legal action in the event of Covid rules violation.

"Shops, malls, banks, hotels, offices and establishments. All of you are already aware of precautions to be taken. If you do not implement mask wearing and ensure safe distance, city police will raid and initiate legal action," asserted Rao.

On Friday, Bengaluru North DCP Shashi Kumar closed down some shops which did not follow Covid rules and rewarded some shopkeepers who adhered to them with roses.

Bengaluru, Mar 31: The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Karnataka rose to 98 on Tuesday, according to the state government.

This includes 3 deaths and 6 patients who were cured and discharged, leaving the active cases to 89.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj S Bommai said that his government has succeeded in tracking more than 24 people in Bengaluru, who attended the Tablighi Jamat event in Delhi held earlier this month.

"Over 24 people, who attended Tablighi Jamaat event in Delhi, tracked in Bengaluru. We have quarantined 54 people. 8 people also in Bidar. 1 person found positive in Bidar and we have quarantined him. There are people who attended jamaat from almost all districts of the state," Bommai told news agency here.

Delhi's Nizamuddin area emerged as a hotspot after a religious meeting was held at Markaz by the Tableeghi Jamaat earlier this month, and several COVID-19 positive cases have been found among those who attended the gathering.

At least 24 people staying at Markaz building in Nizamuddin area of the national capital have tested positive for coronavirus, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday.

"All of them are being screened. We are not certain of the number but it is estimated that 1500-1700 people had assembled at the Markaz building. 1033 people have been evacuated so far - 334 of them have been sent to the hospital and 700 sent to quarantine center. A total of 24 positive cases have been found so far," he said while speaking to reporters here.

The minister also slammed the organizers of the religious event saying that they have committed a grave crime.