Hubballi (Karnataka), Dec. 1: Amid concerns over Omicron new variant of Covid virus, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Wednesday said that the state government would soon discuss with Union Health minister Mansukh Mandaviya launching new programme of administering booster shots of anti-Covid vaccine to healthcare and frontline workers
Bommai told reporters that he was heading to New Delhi on Thursday) (December 2) where he is scheduled to meet Mr Mandaviya, where he will be raising the issue administering boosters shots to healthcare and frontline workers.
It is more than six months since the healthcare and frontline workers had their double dose of anti-Covid vaccine as the vaccination drive in the state was launched on January 16, 2021 and these workers were first one to get these shots.
He added that the expert committee on Covid is also of the view that, ‘it is better to administer the booster dose for health and frontline workers’ at this juncture. “I will certainly discuss this with Mr Mandaviya,” he said.
Ruling out making anti-Covid vaccination compulsory or attaching any government facilities or schemes with it, the Chief Minister said that rather than making it compulsory, the state will strive hard to intensify the vaccination campaign.
He added that strict vigil is being maintained on international passengers as well as on those coming from Kerala.
“One of the test samples of a passenger had been sent to the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) to ascertain the exact variant. Appropriate measures would be taken after receiving the report,” Mr Bommai said.
The CM said that both international passengers and students from Kerala are being monitored with special focus.
“At a cluster in Dharwad 306 have tested positive out of which only two have tested positive when tested again seven days later. None of them have any serious symptoms. The situation is under control. About 7,000 persons have already been tested in the area. Over 1000 people have been tested within the radius of 500 metres of the cluster,” he said.
He added that about 2,500 foreign travellers arrive in the state through Bengaluru and Mangaluru airports every day. “All those coming in will be tested on arrival and will have to undergo seven days home quarantine even if they test negative,” Mr Bommai reiterated.
