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The Karnataka government on Saturday announced that its capital city Bengaluru will go under complete lockdown from 14 to 22 July in the wake of novel coronavirus cases surging since the beginning of this month.
"Complete lockdown in Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts from 8 pm on 14th July to 5 am on 22nd July in view rising Covid-19 cases," stated Karnataka Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
However, essential services such as hospitals, grocery shops as well as scheduled exams will be allowed in the city.
"Hospitals, groceries, fruit, vegetable and grocery shops will remain open and the medical and post-graduate exams scheduled will be held," the state government's release stated.
"Detailed guidelines will be released on Monday,” chief minister BS Yediyurappa tweeted.
Asking people to join hands in controlling Covid-19 by remaining at home during the lockdown, Yediyurappa said, "While going to purchase daily use items, maintain social distance, wear masks, and follow all the guidelines related to lockdown."
"All essential services including supply of milk, vegetables, fruits, medicines and groceries will continue uninterrupted. I appeal to people to cooperate with the government, follow all guidelines, take all precautionary steps and help us contain the pandemic," the chief minister posted on Twitter.
Yediyurappa complemented the efforts of ASHA workers, doctors, medical staff, police, officials and the media who are working to control the spread of virus.
Earlier today, Revenue Minister R Ashoka told reporters that discussions were held with the Chief Minister over imposing a fresh lockdown in the city.
"In the wake rapidly increasing Covid-19 cases in Bengaluru, imposing lockdown again is inevitable," he said as per reports.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Bengaluru saw record 1,533 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking its overall Covid-19 tally to 16,862.
The supposed Silicon Valley city of India has been reporting more than 1,000 daily coronavirus cases in the past few days.
On the other hand, Karnataka also recorded highest single-day numbers of new Covid-19 cases for the third straight day. The state reported record 2,798 more positive cases of Covid-19, pushing the total to 36,216.
However, there were 879 recoveries in the last 24 hours. the total number of recovered patients in the state now stands at 14,716. The death toll in the state also surged to 613 after 70 more fatalities were reported since Friday. The number of active cases in the state are 20,833.
Amid the rising coronavirus cases, the state and Centre are yet to officially acknowledge the real possibility of community transmission even though the source of infection in a very large number of cases remain unknown, adding to challenges in tracking and containing the spread, according to a Mint report.
The rising number of cases that are being classified as "contact under tracing" has gone up in recent days.
However, Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar told reporters in Bengaluru that after three to four days there will be an increase in the number of patients getting discharged after recovery, especially in Bengaluru, while adding that the government was making all efforts to control the virus.
Earlier, Karnataka government has imposed a 33-hour complete lockdown in Bengaluru on 4 July as the city witnessed a spike in novel coronavirus cases in the last few weeks.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner Anil Kumar said the instruction for lockdown in BBMP limits was issued by Yediyurappa.
Kumar mentioned that only sale of essential items will be allowed during the 33-hour lockdown, including meat shops. He also said police action will be taken against people found roaming outside unnecessarily.
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