8 Karnataka Medical Colleges told not to admit patients from Kerala during coronavirus epidemic
The directions have been sent to A. J. Medical College, Father Muller Medical College, Kasturba Medical College, Yenepoya Medical College, Srinivasa Medical College, K.S. Hegde Medical College, KVG Medical College and Kanachuru Medical College
Bengaluru: While Kerala's Kasaragod has come as a hotbed for coronavirus in the state with the rising number of infection cases, the neighbouring Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka has directed 8 medical colleges of the state to not admit patients from Kerala.
Earlier, an addendum order released by the Karnataka government on March 23, stated the necessity of closing borders as with the already existing shortage of health facilities, treatment of patients from other states will cause issues for the people of Karnataka.
Exercising powers under section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1898 and enabling provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005, the Karnataka government ordered for imposing border restrictions over movement of patients across the border for treatment or diagnosis.
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TW reports that the Dakshina Kannada-Kerala border was closed nearly two weeks ago and police personnel have been deployed at the border to ensure that no vehicle crosses the border. Recently, the Kerala High Court had directed the Centre to open the Kasaragod-Mangaluru National Highway and said Karnataka had no powers to close it.
In response, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had said that it is the responsibility of the state government to take care of its citizens.
Later, slamming Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Mangaluru City North MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty had further tweeted, "50% of the #COVID19 cases in Wenlock are from Kasaragod. With the failure of @vijayanpinarayi's administration and healthcare facilities, Kasaragod alone has 100+ cases which is the total count of Karnataka. We can't let this pandemic spread to Dakshina Kannada."
50% of #COVID19 cases in Wenlock are from Kasaragod.
— Dr Bharath Shetty (@bharathshetty_y) April 2, 2020
With the failure of @vijayanpinarayi 's administration & healthcare facilities,Kasaragod alone has 100+ cases which is total count of Karnataka.
We can't let this Pandemic spread to Dakshina Kannada.#SaveKarnatakafromPinarayi
Now, in view of increasing COVID-19 cases in the neighbouring Kasaragod district, the Department of Health and Family Welfare in Dakshina Kannada has issued a circular to 8 medical colleges in the district asking them not to admit any patients from Kerala in their hospitals.
The circular dated April 1, 2020, and released to media on Thursday has been sent to A. J. Medical College, Father Muller Medical College, Kasturba Medical College, Yenepoya Medical College, Srinivasa Medical College, K.S. Hegde Medical College, KVG Medical College and Kanachuru Medical College, reports The Hindu.
The circular was sent after a meeting chaired by district in-charge secretary and special COVID-19 officer for Dakshina Kannada V. Ponnuraj.
