Karnataka to keep vigil on Maharashtra and Kerala returnees amid rising concerns of Covid surge

Chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday directed health officials to intensify Covid tests in districts that share borders with Maharashtra and Kerala where there is a surge in cases.

Karnataka must keep a strict vigil on people who arrive from Maharashtra since the neighbouring state has been reporting a higher number of Delta Plus variants of SARS-Cov-2 causing concern, the chief minister said in a review meeting to discuss the situation regarding Covid variants.

The state will henceforth ensure that all those who are traveling to Karnataka from Maharashtra and Kerala undergo Covid tests.


Karnataka has reported two cases of Delta Plus variant so far, one each in Bengaluru and Mysuru. Health minister K Sudhakar said the situation was under control and there was no need to panic. “Both positive cases had mild symptoms. The patient in Mysuru has completely recovered,” Sudhakar said.

Primary contacts of both patients have been tested negative. “We are doing genome sequencing everyday to detect new strains,” he said. Genome sequencing labs will come up in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Hubballi, Managaluru and Vijayapura.

Delta Plus mutation has become a cause of concern as they display more transmissibility and potential reductions in monoclonal antibody response.

On the rise in Covid cases in Kerala and Maharashtra, Sudhakar said the government was in favour of closing state borders at the time of unlocking. “We need to be cautious aat bus and railway stations,” he said.