Fresh Covid cases cross 100-mark in Karnataka; positivity rate 5.93 pct

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In the latest update on the COVID-19 situation in Karnataka, the state reported 104 fresh cases on Saturday, bringing the active caseload to 271. The Department of Health and Family Welfare released this information, shedding light on the current status of the pandemic in the region.

Despite the rise in new cases, it's noteworthy that the test positivity rate has reached 5.93 percent. Fortunately, there were no reported deaths in the state within the past 24 hours, providing a glimmer of relief amid the ongoing health crisis.

Among the active cases, 258 individuals are currently under home isolation, while 13 have been hospitalized. Of the hospitalized cases, six are receiving treatment in intensive care units (ICUs), reflecting the severity of the illness in some instances.

Over the past 24 hours, the state conducted 1,752 tests to monitor and detect potential cases of COVID-19. Testing remains a crucial aspect of the overall strategy to manage and mitigate the spread of the virus.

Breaking down the distribution of new cases across different regions in Karnataka, Bengaluru recorded the highest number with 85 cases. Other districts that reported new cases include Mysuru (7), Shivamogga (6), Chamarajanagara and Tumakuru (2 each), and Mandya and Dakshina Kannada (1 each).

The information provided by the Department of Health and Family Welfare serves as a vital update for residents, healthcare professionals, and authorities involved in the ongoing efforts to control the spread of the virus. It underscores the importance of continued vigilance, testing, and adherence to public health guidelines to safeguard the well-being of the community in Karnataka.

Further, the WHO said over 118,000 new Covid-19 hospitalisations and over 1600 new intensive care unit (ICU) admissions have been recorded, with an overall increase of 23 per cent and 51 per cent, respectively, globally, reported ANI.

As of December 18, 2023, JN.1, a sub-lineage of BA.2.86 Omicron variant has been designated a separate variant of interest (VOI) apart from its parent lineage BA.2.86 due to its rapid increase in prevalence in recent weeks. Globally, EG.5 remains the most reported variant of interest, reported ANI.