"Risk is low, no restrictions now": Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao amid surge in COVID cases

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 21 (ANI): In response to the evolving situation of COVID cases in the state, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao provided reassurance to the people and said that the risk factor is low adding that there are no restrictions at present.
"The virus does not have a severe impact on the health of people. The risk is low, so you need not panic, there are no restrictions now," the Health Minister asserted.
Minister Gundurao emphasized that there are currently no limitations on movement, stay, travel, or public functions.
However, he urged individuals aged 60 and above to exercise caution and wear masks in crowded places.
"We are looking into all the aspects. There is no such concern as of now. There is no restriction on movement, stay, travel or functions. People above 60 years of age should be cautious and wear masks in crowded places," he added.
Earlier in the day, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah said that people need not panic and that precautions need to be taken to avoid the risk.
"So far, in Karnataka, 92 cases have been detected. Out of these, 72 patients are quarantined at home. Only 20 are in hospitals, and seven of them are in the ICU. So far, three people have died not because of COVID alone, but there were other elements as well," the CM added.
The recent upsurge has been blamed on the JN.1 sub-strain, with mild fever and cough being among its most common symptoms. According to officials, the sub-strain is currently said to be prevalent in 36-40 countries has has led to 16 deaths over the last couple of weeks.
The total number of active cases of COVID-19 in the country stands at 2,669.
The Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya, chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday to review the COVID-19 situation in India and the preparedness of the public health system for surveillance, containment and management of COVID-19 given the recent spike in cases of COVID-19 in some states.
During the meeting, Mandaviya emphasized the importance of being alert and prepared against new and emerging strains of the COVID-19 virus.
"It is important to be alert and prepared against new and emerging strains of the COVID-19 virus," Mandaviya said.
The Union Health Minister urged all the States to remain alert, increase surveillance and ensure an adequate stock of medicines, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators and vaccines.
In the wake of the surge in respiratory diseases and the new JN.1 COVID sub-variant, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that the virus is evolving and changing and urged the member states to continue with strong surveillance and sequence sharing. (ANI)