Karnataka Adds 39,998 New COVID-19 Infections, Has 5.9 Lakh Active Cases, The Highest In India

Things continue to look bleak for Karnataka, the second worst-hit state in India currently due to COVID-19.

In the past 24 hours on Wednesday, the state logged 39,998 new COVID-19 cases to its tally taking the total so far to 20,53,191.

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The infection claimed 517 lives, including 275 in Bengaluru, taking the state's death toll to 20,368 and the city's toll to 8,964 since the pandemic broke out in mid-March a year ago.

Bengaluru continues to be the worst affected

In Karnataka, capital Bengaluru continues to be the worst affected, and on Wednesday the city added 16,286 new cases taking its Covid tally to 9,99,805.

Among districts which reported over 1,000 new cases are 2,360 in Tumakur, 1,823 in Ballari, 1,773 in Mysuru, 1,572 in Hassan, 1,138 in Bengaluru Rural, 1,125 in Shivamogga and 1,077 in Dakshina Kannada, with the rest in the remaining 23 districts across the state.

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The positivity rate was 29.67 per cent and case fatality rate 1.29 per cent across the state on Tuesday.

However, what remains a matter of concern for the state is the number of active COVID-19 cases.

As of Thursday morning, Karnataka has a total of 5,92,182 active COVID-19 cases, the highest in India.

Maharashtra, the worst-hit state on the other hand has 5,46,129 active cases.

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Though Karnataka has not seen a bed shortage in the scale of what happened in many other states, there is a fear that if the cases continue to rise, hospitals may not be able to handle it.

Like many other states, Karnataka is also facing a vaccine shortage, which has forced the government to temporarily suspend the COVID vaccination for the age group of 18 to 44 years from May 14.

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Earlier, the state government had decided to utilise the complete supply of vaccines provided by the Centre for vaccination of beneficiaries of 45 years and above who were due for the second dose.

Karnataka government on Wednesday decided to import vaccines, as shortage of dosages hit the state and the demand went up substantially.

"We have to purchase vaccines for people between the age group of 18-44 years. We have already paid money to the two vaccine manufacturers in the country for three crore doses. Out of three crore doses, we have received seven lakh," Karnataka Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar told reporters.

"Since we are not getting adequate vaccines because there are just two manufacturers, we are going to issue orders to import (vaccine)," Ravi Kumar said.

He added that the Government of India has approved only one vaccine outside India.

If permission for other vaccines are given, then one can order more vaccines.