Karnataka Converts 1,700-Bed Hospital To Exclusive Covid-19 Care Hub, Sets Up 24/7 CM-Led War Room, Seals State Borders

At an emergency meeting held at 6 am today (22 March) with members of the special task force constituted by Karnataka to deal with the Coronavirus outbreak, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa announced that the 1,700-bed Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru would be exclusively reserved for handling Coronavirus cases.

Patients who are already being treated there will be moved to other hospitals. The meeting also saw renowned cardiologist and founder of Narayana Health, Dr Devi Shetty, in attendance along with Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Ashwathanarayana, Home Minister Basavaraja Bommai and Medical Education Minister Dr. Sudhakar.

Yediyurappa also announced that the state borders would be closed barring movement of people, and all domestic air passengers too will be screened at the airport.

SSLC exams as well as all local elections in the state too have been postponed until further orders. The government has also sought permission to test Covid-19 in more number of public and private hospitals with cooperation from ICMR and NIV.

The CM also announced that he would lead the 24/7 war room that will be opened at at the Balabrooie Guest House in Bengaluru.

While requesting people from cities to not visit villages, the CM also announced that in order to provide for basic essentials, the state government will provide rations of the next two months in advance.

Last evening, Yediyurappa also sought public cooperation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for Janata Curfew on Sunday. But he also sought that people do not get on to the streets immediately after the announced curfew hours as it would defeat the purpose and nullify the 14-hour curfew.

The state has also sought volunteers to help with Corona awareness and to fight the ‘information war against Corona. Those who wish to be a part of the team can register here and ‘be a Corona Warrior’.

The team currently has 983 volunteers across the state but is looking for 1,500 more hands to help beat misinformation and arrest fake news as well as to handle queries regarding dealing with the virus.