Covid: K’taka makes wearing mask mandatory for people above 60

The Karnataka Government has ordered people over 60 years of age, those with heart and kidney diseases, and those with fever, phlegm, and colds to wear masks compulsorily amid JN.1 subvariant scare. Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has announced that the Karnataka government will issue an order on Tuesday following the detection of the JN.1 subvariant of the coronavirus in Kerala. “We held a technical advisory committee meeting earlier. A meeting was also held yesterday under the leadership of the chief of TAC, Ravi. They discussed what action should be taken in the meeting. He has also discussed this with the central government. We have some suggested guidelines, people over 60 years of age those suffering from other diseases related to the heart and kidney, and those with fever, phlegm and colds should wear masks compulsorily,” said Dinesh Gundu Rao. Instructions have already been given to make the necessary preparations and get ready in hospitals and health centres. The state has also ordered more vigilance in border districts like Kodagu, Mangaluru, and Chamarajanagar. “Testing is mandatory for those suffering from breathing problems and other problems. Then it will be known whether the COVID cases are surging per day. Then we will decide what to do. We will do more testing at the border,” said the Karnataka Health Minister. However, he said that there is no need to panic as the situation is under control. “In another 2-3 days, its severity will subside. As of now, it is normal in the state. Prohibitive measures will only work if there are more positive COVID symptoms. Currently, there is no such situation. No one needs to worry,” Dinesh Gundu Rao added. India’s COVID-19 situation remains under control, with an active caseload of 1,828 as of Monday. However, one death was reported in Kerala, where the JN.1 subvariant of the coronavirus was recently detected. Dr NK Arora, the chief of INSACOG, said that the death was not caused by