Karwar: Uttara Kannada District Deputy Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar has issued a warning that those who have come in contact with the victims of the recent COVID-19 cases should bring to the notice of the District Administration and should not go under self-treatment. Instead, if anyone tries to treat on their own, a criminal case will be filed against them.

He said this at a press conference held in his office. Further, he said that the reports of those came positive who had come in contact with the Bhatkal's patient number 659. No one needs to be afraid of this, as all its primary and secondary contacts have been quarantined. The number of women is more among the recently infected victims.

Dr Harish Kumar said that anyone who has come in contact with these victims at any point of time, should bring this matter to the notice of the District Administration and get it investigated. On the contrary, if they undergo self treatment, a criminal case will be filed against such people. He said that the laws now have been tightened, but it is very important to follow. People should not get panic to it, he noted.

Regarding Karwar's Patanjali Hospital, he said that since it is a Naval hospital and some steps had to be followed from the security point of view, it had become necessary to hand over the hospital to the Navy. Henceforth, the victims will be treated at KIMS hospital in Karwar.

Further speaking, Zilla Panchayat CEO Muhammad Roshan said that the patients have been kept at KIMS hospital in Karwar, and CCTV cameras have been installed inside and outside the premises of COVID-19 ward. Twice a day, the patients are interviewed through video conferencing. It is not allowed to take anything out of the hospital. All that is used is stored inside the ward. All the patients are in good health and no kind of problem has arisen so far, he said.

District Superintendent of Police Shivprakash Devraj said that the movement of people in Bhatkal has been completely stopped. Barricades have been installed in the streets. The taluka administration has made arrangements to meet the medical needs and deliver essential items to the people. Information is being gathered about people who have come in contact with people affected by the COVID-19.