Covid subspecies safe, testing kits available: Minister

BENGALURU

 Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has said that the current Covid variant is not very dangerous. The government is taking necessary precautionary measures.

Speaking to media persons, he said that there have been no reports of the Covid J-1 subtype causing any serious adverse effects. No one has shown any serious symptoms. The situation will be reviewed in the next three to four days and necessary action will be taken. There is no atmosphere of panic, the first and second stage Covid situation is not there now, he said.

Schools and colleges are starting, and we will review and decide what kind of precautionary measures should be taken. There is no need to panic at the moment. Instructions have been given for Covid testing. Testing kits will be supplied within two days. Sari, ILI cases, the elderly, and pregnant women have been advised to get tested compulsorily in private and government hospitals, he said.

It is confirmed that one person died yesterday due to the infection. He was 84 years old. He had been ill for a year.

Necessary Covid-19 testing kits are available in the state.  The Minister informed that Covid testing is being conducted at centers with VRDL testing facilities as the number of Covid cases is currently low.

Preparations have been made for testing at 10 locations in the state, including NIMHANS Hospital,  Medical College, and NIV Center in Bengaluru. Instructions have already been given to purchase 5,000 RTPCR testing kits for a month.