Udupi: The death toll in the district was low when COVID-19 testing was on the rise. However, after some misinformation was spread on social media claiming that COVID-19 testing is big profit-churning business, many people have refused to undergo COVID-19 testing. As a result, infected asymptomatic people are spreading the virus in their homes and are being responsible for the deaths of their family members. This is the reason for the high death toll in the Udupi district in August, said Deputy Commissioner of Udupi district G Jagadeesha.
So far, 12,727 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the district out of which 112 have died.
1,315 infected persons were between the ages of 55 and 64 out of which 25 died and 1,161 infected persons were aged between 65 and above out of which 51 have died.
The DC added that many are also not getting tested after symptoms show and have to be admitted directly to ICUs after their condition worsens. All 82 ICU beds reserved for COVID-19 patients in the district have been filled.
COVID-19 patients are being treated free of charge without any discrimination based on APL or BPL cardholders. The entire treatment amount is covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Treatment is billed only for those who admit themselves directly to private hospitals in special wards without receiving a referral from the district administration, the DC explained.
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The DC also warned that if primary contacts of COVID-19 infected persons refused to be tested, a case under the Epidemic Act would be filed against them. He added that already FIRs have been filed against three persons for spreading misinformation on COVID-19.
