K’taka CM sets up ~200-cr fund as state battles three diseases

nBENGALURU:KARNATAKA chief minister BS Yediyurappa has announced that a ~200-crore fund has been set aside to combat the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) in the state and the partial lockdown would be extended till March 31. The announcement comes after three more people in the state tested positive for Covid-19 bringing the tally to 14.

Yediyurappa made the announcement after an emergency cabinet meeting to review preparedness as the state is facing Covid-19, while also combating bird flu leading to poultry being culled at an industrial level and the outbreak of Kasyanur Forest Disease (or Monkey Fever) in the Malnad region.

Yediyurappa announced the setting up of a task force, which will monitor the three health challenges facing the state. Health and family welfare minister B Sriramulu, medical wducation minister K Sudhakar, deputy CM Ashwath Narayana, home minister Basvraj Bommai and the state chief secretary are part of the task force.

The state cabinet also decided to quarantine all incoming international passengers for 14 days. Sriramulu said that as a precautionary measure it may bar all international flights from landing in Bengaluru.

The health minister said two men, a 56-year-old and a 35-year old, who had returned from the United States of America, tested positive for Covid-19. A 25-yearold woman, who had returned from Spain, is also infected with the virus, he added.

THE STATE CABINET HAS ALSO DECIDED TO QUARANTINE ALL INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS FOR A PERIOD OF 14 DAYS