Latest news with #DHO
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Aged cancer patient who tested +ve for Covid dead
U Tired of too many ads? go ad free now dupi/Mangaluru: A 65-year-old cancer patient from Belle village in Kaup taluk passed away at a private hospital in Manipal on Tuesday. He was confirmed to be Covid-19 positive. The patient was suffering from cancer and was admitted to the hospital recently. During his treatment, he tested positive for Covid-19. Officials from the revenue and health departments visited the victim's house to raise awareness about precautionary measures against Covid-19 among villagers, and instructed them to follow SOPs. Official sources said that the last rites will be performed as per Covid-19 SOPs on Wednesday. Meanwhile, three female patients aged 64, 57, and 29 years, who tested positive for Covid-19 in Dakshina Kannada in May, recovered successfully and were released from medical care. Dakshina Kannada DHO Dr HR Thimmaiah said that the centre has already assured the public not to panic as the Covid variant is very mild. As per the govt directive, the district will conduct Covid tests for all the severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and 5% of the influenza-like illness (ILI) cases. Samples of all positive cases will be sent for genome sequencing. The department has decided to conduct tests only at the laboratory of Wenlock District Hospital in Mangaluru. All hospitals, including private hospitals, will have to send samples to Wenlock hospital only. All hospitals, from district hospitals to public health sub-centres, will conduct a dry run demonstrating preparedness on Wednesday, he said. Govt hospitals in the district are well prepared with sufficient medicines, oxygen beds, oxygen cylinders, ICUs, ventilators, masks, test kits, and PPE kits. Hospitals also have oxygen plants to ensure an uninterrupted supply of oxygen, the DHO said.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Dakshina Kannada reports three COVID-19 cases, all patients discharged after recovery, says DHO
Dakshina Kannada reported three COVID-19 positive cases in May, and all three patients, who were women (aged 64, 57, and 29), have recovered and been discharged, according to H.R. Thimmaiah, District Health and Family Welfare Officer. Addressing the media persons here on Tuesday, he said that one of the patients was admitted to a hospital, and the other two received treatment at their homes. Assuring that people need not panic about the spread of COVID-19, he said that people should not believe in rumours. Presently, COVID-19 is not a matter of serious concern in the district, he said. Testing only at Wenlock Hospital Dr. Thimmaiah said that samples to confirm COVID-19 positive cases in the district will have to be tested only at the laboratory of Government Wenlock Hospital here. Laboratories at the private hospitals are not authorised to test the samples now. The government has given a clear instruction on the same. The sample test at the Wenlock Hospital began on Tuesday. The DHO said that sample testing for COVID-19 will be done in all cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). Random tests, up to 5%, will be done in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) cases. Dr. Thimmaiah said that the Health Department is prepared to face COVID-19 with the necessary facilities. It has 5,000 test kits, six liquid oxygen plants, 213 jumbo oxygen cylinders and other facilities like functional ICU beds, nebulisers and ventilators in addition to the 480 oxygenated beds at the Wenlock Hospital.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Dakshina Kannada reports 43 dengue cases this year, DHO cautions against self-medication
Stating that Dakshina Kannada district had reported 43 dengue cases till May this year, H.R. Thimmaiah, the District Health and Family Welfare Officer, on Tuesday, cautioned people against self-medication to treat the fever. Addressing the media, the DHO said that people should consult a doctor or visit the nearest government healthcare facility if they develop symptoms such as a sudden onset of high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. Seasonal scare Number of dengue cases reported in Dakshina Kannada distict Taluks & MCC 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 (till May) MCC 85 185 379 235 8 Mangaluru 64 60 94 106 13 Bantwal 63 39 61 115 5 Puttur 32 7 5 24 5 Sullia 27 (one death) 15 4 11 2 Belthangady 24 82 23 43 10 Total 295 388 566 534 43 *MCC – Mangaluru City Corporation *Mangaluru taluk also covers Ullal, Moodbidri, Mulky areas Source: Department of Health and Family Welfare, Dakshina Kannada Going for self medication might lead to multiple health complications, he cautioned. Household Survey The DHO said that henceforth, the department will survey 50 households for every case of common fever reported in an area. Households surrounding a fever patient will be surveyed to determine if there are additional fever cases in the area, including those of dengue. It will help contain the spread of the fever. Dr. Thimmaiah said that more dengue cases are being reported from Belthangady, Puttur and Sullia taluks. Farmers should ensure that coconut shells and plastic cups used to collect latex during tapping in rubber plantations do not hold stagnant water. They should also ensure that fallen leaves of arecanut palms in the plantations don't harbour stagnant rainwater, he said. The DHO said that Aedes mosquito breeds in stagnant water found in flower pots, drums, buckets, and rubber tyres. People should empty them at least once a week by observing a dry day. Dengue fever spreads when infected Aedes mosquitoes bite people during the daytime. Hence, those who take rest during the daytime will have to use mosquito repellent and cover their bodies with proper clothing, he said. He stressed the role of the public in containing the spread of dengue and asked people, especially those in multi-storeyed buildings, not to allow mosquito breeding in their areas. The doctor said a dengue patient will have to consume adequate liquid food and take rest.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh doubles horticulture subsidies to support chilli farmers in Palnadu
GUNTUR: Amid growing concerns over the viability of traditional crops like chilli, which occupy 46,000 out of 48,000 hectares of horticulture land in Palnadu district, the State government has significantly increased subsidies for horticulture crops for the 2025-26 financial year. The move is expected to boost the income of farmers and also horticulture. Speaking to TNIE, Palnadu District Horticulture Officer (DHO) Ramana Reddy said that over 90,000 farmers are engaged in horticulture in the district, out of which over 85% farmers are involved in chilli cultivation. However, the plummeting price of various chilli varieties led to widespread losses. 'To prevent losses and benefit the farmers, the State government has doubled subsidies for horticultural crops in 2025-26. This substantial increase will encourage more farmers to shift to horticulture, which offers better returns than traditional crops,' he said. The revamped support scheme includes not just the distribution of fruit saplings, but a comprehensive three-year subsidy covering maintenance, irrigation, fertilisers, and pesticides. Under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), small and marginal farmers with up to five acres of land are eligible for 100% subsidy-including free saplings and full support for orchard development.
The Hindu
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
DHO, others inspect COVID-19 testing facilities at K.R. hospital
Amidst a fresh COVID-19 scare, officials from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Mysuru, inspected the Molecular and NCS Laboratory located on the K.R. Hospital premises on Tuesday. The visit was aimed at reviewing the hospital's preparedness for testing and managing COVID-19 cases in line with the new directives issued by the State government. District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Kumaraswamy, accompanied by senior doctors from K.R. Hospital, examined the RT-PCR testing facilities and other preventive measures in place. Speaking to reporters, Dr. Kumaraswamy said, 'We are working on streamlining arrangements for testing, including reviewing technical specifications and sharing insights to ensure effective follow-up in response to the newly reported cases.' According to the DHO, the laboratory houses five testing units, each capable of processing up to 90 RT-PCR tests per day. 'It typically takes about 4 to 5 hours to generate each test report,' he added. Dr. Kumaraswamy noted that the new variant of COVID-19 appears to be causing only mild infections. 'There is no need to panic. The Health Department is taking all necessary precautions and adhering strictly to the guidelines issued by the government. The labs are fully equipped and can operate 24x7 if case numbers rise,' he stated. The department has also directed healthcare providers to conduct tests on patients presenting with severe respiratory tract infections, with specialist doctors required to prescribe such tests. In addition, people with co-morbidities have been advised to wear masks as a precautionary measure. Awareness and sensitisation campaigns are under way to keep the public informed and prepared, Dr. Kumaraswamy added.
