Rising COVID-19 Cases : Karnataka High Court Seeks To Know Steps Taken By State, BBMP

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday said if the upward trend of positive case of corona virus continues in the state it would want the state government and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and other stakeholder to address the court on March 25 on issues concerning preventive steps to be taken to stop spread of Covid-19.

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said "Several orders were passed by this court. During the last few days, there is substantial rise in positive cases in the state, especially in Bengaluru Urban district. It is pointed out that as per official figures published by the state government, 68,469 tests were conducted and 1135 positive cases were detected, out of which 710 cases are from Bengaluru urban district."

It added: "If the present upward trend of positive cases continues, on the next date we will have to hear the state, BBMP and other stakeholders on issues concerning preventing steps to be taken for the spread of covid-19."

During the hearing of a batch of petition concerning facilities made available by the authorities for treatment of patients suffering from Covid-19, the bench said "Now these petitions will continue to be relevant because of the rising numbers." It added "Now we will have to go into all these aspects. Except four or five issues remaining we thought that we should end this matter on March 24, but not possible now."

Justice Kumar on going through the circular issued by the State Government on March 12, orally suggested that congregation of jatras (religious congregations), at least for sometime will have to be put on hold.

Chief Justice Oka, on going through the daily report issued on March 16 by the state government regarding positive covid-19 cases, said "The fatality rate has gone down less than 1 percent now. We must remember that figures of 783 for Bengaluru perhaps this were the figures in July/August last year, then it started rising. Issues will remain significant."

The bench also referred to a submission made by the counsel for BBMP in a matter pertaining to implementation of Solid Waste Management rules, wherein it was informed that all staff (of BBMP) is being diverted to Covid-19 related work. 

"We are going back to that stage", the Court observed responding to the above submission.

The matter will next be heard on March 25.