‘Isolation, social distancing will do wonders, not testing’
NEWDELHI:KARNATAKA chief minister BS Yediyurappa has credited his government’s proactive strategy for the relatively fewer number of coronavirus (Covid-19) cases and deaths in the state after it reported the first fatality in the pandemic in the country on March 13. Yediyurappa spoke to Sunetra Choudhury about how his government was responding to the crisis. Edited excerpts:
What did Prime Minister Narendra Modi convey to chief ministers in Thursday’s video conference?
The PM suggested several measures [to check spread of coronavirus] such as utilisation of AYUSH staff and doctor’s services and popularisation of Ayush-suggested food items for strengthening the immune system. Karnataka has already implemented or is in the process of implementing most of the steps suggested by the PM.
What are you doing to trace 45 people from Karnataka who were at the headquarters of a religious organisation in Delhi where some people have been found to be Covid-19 positive?
We have tracked many of them and they will be quarantined. One of the three dead in Karnataka, who hailed from Sira town in Tumkur district, is suspected to have been among the 45. The whole town is being monitored.
Karnataka has fewer Covid-19 cases compared to states like Kerala. What are you doing to keep the number down?
Karnataka was the first state to announce a lockdown (on March 22) much before other states did so. When we reported the first Covid-19 death, we initiated various measures to contain the spread. We created a 1,500bed facility at the Victoria hospital (Bengaluru) for treatment of Covid-19 cases. Immediately, we summoned experts and went according to their suggestions.
Are you going to increase testing like Kerala, which has introduced rapid testing? Many say that the more we test, the better it is.
More you isolate and distance the people from mingling, more we will be able to control the disease.
The first case was reported in Karnataka on March 6. On Wednesday, we had 91 positive cases and this indicates how effective our measures are. This was the third worsthit state, and has slid to 5th place.
Are your five testing labs enough?
We are increasing the testing facilities. We now have seven testing centres. We are buying more than one lakh rapid testing kits from abroad. Isolation, quarantining and social and physical distancing will do wonders and not the testing centres.
How are you dealing with the difficult situation that migrant workers are facing because of the 21-day national lockdown?
It is wrong to say that the migrants are harassed. We have created all the facilities for them. All construction workers are being given food, advance ration for two months and monthly ₹1,000 .
Is there a case of cluster spread at a Mysuru pharma company?
In Mysuru, the disease was first detected among two workers. We quarantined all the workers. On Monday, six more workers tested positive. We are tracing others. It cannot be described as a cluster case. The pharma company had to be kept open.
How is your government helping people from the northeast facing racism because of Covid-19?
No incident of such discrimination has been reported from our state. People of Karnataka are known for tolerance and humanity... Do not compare the situation elsewhere with Karnataka.
How would you react to criticism regarding breach of privacy over Karnataka’s move to publish addresses of those who have travelled internationally since March 8?
It is false news that we have published the addresses. However, we have made a list of the people, who arrived here from abroad, to keep a watch on their health.people coming from abroad are carriers. In the larger interest of the society, some measures have been initiated.
Do you think the lockdown should go beyond 21 days and how will you offset its economic impact?
It is too premature to predict anything. If the disease subsides , there is no question of extending it. The Centre will take the decision. Our state has a robust economy and we are going to bounce back soon. I am sure the lockdown impact on the economy will be minimal.