Karnataka Reports Eight New Coronavirus Cases, State’s Covid-19 Tally Increases To 520

Eight more people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Karnataka, taking the total number of infections in the state to 520, an official said on Tuesday (28 April).

"Till date, 520 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed. This includes 20 deaths and 198 discharges," the official said.

Among the eight new cases, there are four men and four women.

Five more COVID-19 patients have been discharged, taking the total number of coronavirus recovered persons in the state to 198.

Of the new cases, six are contacts of positive case 425 from Kalaburagi, while another man is suffering from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) in Gadag.

One more case emerged from Bengaluru Urban ward 135 containment zone.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has decided to draw an exit plan ahead of the extended lockdown's ending on 3 May, an official said on Monday (27 April).

"The state government will draw an exit plan this week and submit it to the Centre for approval and implementation after the 19-day extended lockdown ends on May 3," the official told IANS.

The blueprint for the exit plan is in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's advice to the southern state during his interaction with Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa through video conferencing earlier in the day.

"The Chief Minister, in turn, held marathon discussions with the Deputy Commissioners of the districts across the state through video conference for the exit plan to be drawn as per their status as Covid hotspots or green spots," said the official.

The state's 30 districts have been divided into four spots - 6 red, 5 each in orange and yellow, and 14 green as they have zero coronavirus cases till date.

"The 6 hotspots or red spots, including Bengaluru and Mysuru, will continue to be in lockdown, with more easing of the restrictions to be decided by the Centre," said the official.

(With inputs from IANS)