Two held with illicit liquor in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jul 18: Karnataka minister R Ashoka on Friday said that the COVID-19 lockdown will not be extended further in Bengaluru.

While commenting on the COVID-19 lockdown extension R Ashoka said, "We have taken expert opinion, and the lockdown will not be extended. It will end on July 22."

Earlier today, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Mayor, M Goutham Kumar called for an extension of lockdown in the city for one more week due to rise in the COVID-19 cases. "It will be better if we get more time to tackle COVID-19 cases. We wish for the extension of lockdown for one more week. We have given the proposal to the government," said Kumar.

Lockdown had been imposed in the city for seven days with effect from 8 pm on July 14 till 5 am on July 22 to curb the further spread of COVID-19.

As many as 3,693 new COVID-19 positive cases and 115 deaths have been reported in Karnataka on Friday, the State Health Department said.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state now stands at 55,115 including 33,205 active cases. While there are 20,757 recoveries, the death toll stands at 1,147.

Bengaluru, Jul 10: Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Thursday visited the COVID Care Centre established in Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) and inspected the facilities there.

"The State Government is making all efforts to contain the rapid surge of cases of COVID-19 in Bengaluru. I have visited the COVID Care Centre established at the Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre and inspected the facilities. The COVID Care Centre will have a capacity of 10,100 beds and has all necessary facilities," he said while interacting with media persons.

"For every 100 patients, one doctor, two nurses, one support staff, one housekeeping staff and two BBMP Marshals will be deployed. 2,200 staff including doctors, nurses, support staff, housekeeping staff, BBMP marshals and police will be deputed. The patients will be provided with good quality food. Recreation facilities such as TV, Carrom Boards, chess boards etc are also being provided," he added.

The Chief Minister said that safety kits for the staff who are involved in patients' care and monitoring, emergency treatment facilities, ICU, ECG, oxygen support, first aid and pharmacy facilities will be provided.

"In addition, a control room will be established to monitor them 24 hours and this Centre will have tie up with nearby hospitals. Laundry facility will be provided to wash the blankets and bedsheets of the patients. Segregation and disposal of waste will be done systematically. The centre will take care of people who are asymptomatic and persons who are mildly infected. This system is established to enhance the availability of beds and treatment in hospitals for those who are in critical condition," he said.

Yediyurappa said that number of coronavirus cases in the state increased since the beginning of the unlock process and underlined that the State Government is taking all measures to combat the disease.

"We have rectified all the loopholes immediately, as and when they are brought to our notice. The centralized bed allocation system is already in place and helpline is also established. People must not lose hope and I appeal to the citizens to co-operate with us. If there is a delay in the arrival of the ambulance as soon as the reports confirm the disease or if there is denial to admit the patients to the hospitals, please bring it to our notice and action will be taken," he said.

The Chief Minister appealed to all legislators to give priority to control the disease in their constituencies.

"Please visit taluk hospitals and COVID hospitals and inspect if all required facilities are in place. If there is any lacunae bring it to my notice, it will be rectified," he said.

He also requested people from Bangalore not to travel to their villages unnecessarily.

New Delhi, Jun 17: A class 12 student, aspiring to study medicine, has taken up the job of handling bodies of COVID-19 victims to provide for his siblings’ school fees and his mother’s treatment.

Chand Mohammad's mother suffers from a thyroid disorder and needs her medicines urgently, but the family does not have the means for the treatment.

“We are barely making our ends meet since my elder brother lost his job at a merchandise store in Krishna Nagar market during the lockdown,” the 20-year-old from Seelampur in Northeast Delhi says.

His family has been surviving on ration provided by neighbours and whatever little Chand’s brothers could earn doing odd jobs.

A week ago, Chand joined a company which deployed him as a sweeper at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital here. The job requires him to handle bodies of those dying of coronavirus. The shift runs from 12 noon to 8 pm.

“I took the job after I exhausted all my options to find work. This is a dangerous job, as I am at a higher risk of contracting the infection, but I need the job.

“Our family, including three sisters, two brothers and parents, is struggling without money. Right now, we need food and medicines for my mother,” Chand says.

“Kayin din ghar me khana ek hi baar bana (On many days, we cooked food only once). There is a possibility that we may survive the virus, but we cannot escape hunger,” he says.

Chand says his three sisters are in school. He, a class 12 student himself, is yet to pay the school fee.

“Paisa chahiye padhai ke liye (you need money to study),” he says.

Chand hopes that his first salary will set things right to a certain extent.

“I offer ‘namaz’ before I step out of home for work. I have faith in the almighty. He will take care of me and show me the way,” Chand, who wants to study medicine, says.

But what bothers the youngster is that employees like him who are into high-risk jobs do not get any insurance from the private companies employing them.

“The most dangerous job in the world right now (handling bodies of COVID-19 patients) pays around Rs 17,000 per month,” he sighs.

Every day, Chand handles around two to three bodies along with another sweeper.

“We are required to put the bodies inside the ambulance, take it to the crematorium and put it down on a stretcher once we reach the crematorium,” he says.

“And, you have to do all this wearing the personal protection equipment (PPE), which is very heavy. It limits movement and suffocates a person. In this heat, you end up bathing in your own sweat,” he says.

On Tuesday evening, Chand handled a body on his own.

“I had no help. So, it took me some time, I was gasping for breath at the end,” he says.

"I heard a doctor saying the body had been lying in the mortuary for a month and that nobody claimed it. The person who packed it did not do his job properly. When I tried taking it down from the ambulance, the cover came off and some liquid spilled on my thighs," he says.

Desperate to get some money, Chand says he has approached people giving money on low interest rates.

"I took my Aadhaar card and voter identity card, hoping to get some money on low interest rates," he says.

Chand’s family is worried about his safety, but they are also aware that this is the only way for them to survive at present.

“My parents inquire about my work daily. They pray for my safety. My mother cries a lot, but I make her understand,” he says.

Chand adds he takes a bath as soon as he reaches home and keeps a distance from his family members.

“I have been taking all precautions, but we may never know what would happen. For now, I want some help so that the family remains afloat,” he says.