Covid 19 fears resurface in Karnataka with new JN.1 variant, health dept orders mock drills at hospitals

The health department has ordered 3 lakh medical kits and increased the number of rapid antigen tests (RAT) in the state, especially in bordering regions and the state capital Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, the District Commissioners of Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, and the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, bordering Kerala, have held meetings to tackle the evolving situation.

Thousands of students, businessmen, and people visit Mangaluru city in the Dakshina Kannada district every day.

There are more than 20 entry points, apart from highways, to the coastal region of Karnataka, and concerns have been raised about the absence of monitoring of symptomatic persons.

Authorities are preparing to start monitoring the movement of passengers from the Bavali check post to Mysuru city.

Sources in the health department have said that there is uncertainty over the current situation.

However, the authorities are yet to make a decision regarding screening of passengers from Kerala with symptoms.