Concerned by reports of new COVID cases in neighboring Kerala, the Karnataka government has decided to conduct mock exercises in hospitals to assess readiness in the event that the pandemic recurs in the state.
On Tuesday, the government also convened the Technical Advisory Committee on COVID-19.
“We met with officials today and were given instructions to purchase testing kits through Karnataka Medical Supplies Corporation.” “We have asked officials to procure test kits, which include RT-PCR tests, Rapid Antigen Test, and VTM (Viral Transport Medium),” Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told reporters after a meeting with Health department officials.
Officials have also been directed to perform simulated drills in all hospitals to assess the number of beds available, including ICU beds, oxygen availability, and medicines, he added.
“I have instructed the officials to be ready. Though the situation is not so dire (alarming), we should be prepared in case the (COVID-like) crisis reoccurs. Any shortcomings should be addressed very away, according to Rao.
The Minister stated that a meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee on COVID will be held on Tuesday. Dr. K Ravi, the director of the department of medicine at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), chairs the TAC.
“We must be prepared and not allow a disaster to occur.” We were not prepared in the past, but after experiencing it, we should prepare today,” Rao added.