Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada (DK) district saw a record single day spike of 311 people testing positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday, on a day that the district also recorded eight fatalities due to the virus, taking the total number of deaths to 71.

While DK recorded 311 positive cases, neighbouring Udupi saw 84 people testing positive. It may be recalled that DK and Udupi had reported a combined record spurt of 347 Covid-19 cases for a single day on Thursday. As on Friday, the total number of cases in DK and Udupi stood at 3,074 and 1,979 respectively. While Dakshina Kannada has 1,725 active cases, 429 patients are undergoing treatment in Udupi.

The eight fatalities reported in DK include a woman and seven men, all with co-morbidities, and between the ages of 53 and 72.

Deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh said that while the district has been witnessing an increase in the number of positive cases, 50% of the patients are asymptomatic. “As per the government order, asymptomatic patients are allowed to remain in home quarantine. We have been monitoring those who are in home quarantine through the command control centre functioning in the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), and interacting with them through video conference. Similarly, doctors have been counselling them and public grievance cells have been opened in urban local bodies to redress Covid-19 related issues,” she said, adding that the expert committee will be submitting reports on cause of death in all the 71 deaths reported in the district.

Udupi DC G Jagadeesha said that the district needs more doctors and staff nurses, since the number of cases are increasing. Similarly, he said that the district requires more lab technicians. Interested doctors, nurses and technicians may contact the health department to serve in the district. He also requested donors to provide ventilators and high pressure oxygen systems to the district.

The Udupi district administration has made monitoring those in home quarantine very strict, to prevent the spread of the disease. Those who are in home quarantine should upload selfies on the Home Quarantine Watch app regularly. Meanwhile, those who violate the norms will be identified through the quarantine geo fencing breach technology, the DC said, adding that 11 cases have already been booked against violators.