Karnataka targets vaccinating eligible population by 2021 end
The Karnataka government has set a goal to vaccinate all eligible people in the state by November end against coronavirus. "Our major objective is to vaccinate all by October end or November end. All our efforts are in the direction of vaccinating every citizen by the end of the year," Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Wednesday. Here are more details.
Bharat Biotech to set up manufacturing unit in Kolar
Sudhakar said that the accomplishment of the vaccination drive by year-end will include first and second doses to all. Apart from the Serum Institute of India's Covishield, the emphasis is also on Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN. The company is setting up its manufacturing unit in Malur in Kolar having a manufacturing capacity of producing four to five crore vaccines by August end.
Production of Sputnik V might take place in Karnataka
Sudhakar also said the production of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V may take place in Karnataka. "The production of two vaccines in the state has instilled hope in us of achieving the goal of vaccinating all before any other state in the country," he added.
Karnataka received two lakh Covishield doses today
Regarding the procurement of Covishield doses, Sudhakar said, "We have placed an order for two crore Covishield vaccines with the Pune-based Serum Institute of India. Today, we have received two lakh doses." According to Sudhakar, the doses will be administered to those who are above 45 years and are due for the second dose.
State has directly procured 10.94 lakh doses from manufacturers
The minister said, "The state has received 1.11 crore doses from the Central government. The state has received 10.94 lakh doses as part of direct procurement from manufacturers comprising 9,50,000 Covishield and 1,44,000 COVAXIN." "In all, we have got 1,22,20,510 vaccines which are a combination of both Covishield and COVAXIN. We have vaccinated 1,13,61,234 people so far in the state," the minister noted.
Over 16L people have recovered in the state so far
Regarding the existing COVID-19 crisis in the state, Sudhakar said that 58,395 people recovered in the state on Tuesday, which is an encouraging trend. "So far, 16.74 lakh people have recovered. That's why we should not focus only on the number of infections and fatalities, which creates panic among people," he said.
Active cases stand at over 5 lakh
Notably, on Tuesday, the state recorded a grim 30,309 fresh COVID-19 cases, and 525 COVID-19 related deaths, thus pushing the state's total tally to 22,72,374 COVID-19 cases and 28,838 COVID-19 related deaths. The state's active cases stand at 5,75,049.
Next target is to reduce fatalities: Sudhakar
Sudhakar attributed the rising number of recovered patients and decreasing infections to lockdown-like restrictions and the COVID-19 appropriate behavior of people. He said that the next target is to reduce the fatalities by timely detection of infections and right treatment. The minister said the Centre has given 1,050 vials of Amphotericin B for black fungus infection treatment, and more vials would come next week.
