** Two Bengaluru labs among 17 new ones to help with genome sequencing

Amid rising concerns over mutations and a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Centre has added 17 more national labs, including two from Bengaluru, to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG) network. This is to ramp up genome sequencing of the virus and help understand the spread of new variants in the country.

** Techie turns saviour, sets up helpline for Covid patients

A 33-year-old techie from Vijayapura has set up a 24X7 helpline to assist Covid-19 patients in finding beds, oxygen cylinders and medicines.

Zahoor Kazi, who works as a software engineer at a private firm in Bengaluru, started ‘Mercy Helpline Vijayapura’ (MHV) on May 14 in collaboration with doctors, activists and other software engineers.

** 22 oxygen concentrators for Dharwad

Like-minded people from India and Australia who have formed a team called “Medical Oxygen for All” have donated 22 oxygen concentrators to Dharwad. On Thursday, Superintendent of Police of Dharwad P. Krishnakant handed them over to the Health Department in the district.

Mr. Krishnakant, who is part of “Medical Oxygen for All”, symbolically handed over a few oxygen concentrators to District Health Officer Yashwanth Madinkar at his office on Thursday.

** ‘Doctors for villages’ launched

Hassan district administration has launched Vaidyara Nade Halligala Kadege [“Doctors for villages”] in view of the increase in COVID-19 cases in rural areas.

Minister for Excise K. Gopaliah inaugurated the programme on Wednesday when 47 vehicles carrying doctors, health workers and support staff left for villages.

** CFTRI’s ozone-based air disinfection system to combat droplet infections

The CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru has come up with an ozone-based disinfection system which can also be used for combating transmission of droplet infections like COVID-19.

“Ozone is known for water purification. We have tried to standardize it for air disinfection,” said CFTRI Director Sridevi Singh told The Hindu.

** Rapid Oxygen Centre inaugurated in Hubballi

With an objective of helping patients who require oxygen, Bollywood actor Sonu Sood’s Sood Charity Foundation has set up a Rapid Oxygen Centre near Hubballi Railway Police Station. It was formally commissioned on Wednesday.

The Rapid Oxygen Centre set up in association with SWAG-ERT and Hubballi Railway Police will provide free oxygen cylinders to needy patients. It has tied up with a local firm, Karnataka Gas Agency, for refilling cylinders.

** Local manufacturers supplying bulk of oxygen to Karnataka

While the Central government has formalised an allotment of 1,200 MT of oxygen to Karnataka, a bulk of it will come from local manufacturers.

Around 830 MT will be produced by manufacturers in Karnataka, while 310 MT will come from other States. The remaining 60 MT will come from MSME Air Separation Units.