Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Dr K V Rajendra urged people to follow Covid19 guidelines amid the rise in the number of cases being reported from the district.

Speaking to reporters after receiving the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine at Wenlock hospital here on Thursday March 18, the DC said, the new guidelines relating to religious and cultural programmes in the district would be announced after consultations with DK District in-charge Minister in the wake of a spike in Covid cases in the district.

He further informed that the district administration is mulling deploying home guards who will impose a penalty if anyone is found flouting Covid-19 guidelines such as wearing of face masks etc at different places across the city.

On the vaccination drive, Rajendra informed that elderly citizens and those aged above 45 who are diabetic or have blood pressure must get vaccinated after consultation at nearby PHCs. Provision to bring people residing in far-flung areas via KSRTC buses will be made for vaccination.

Noting that over 70 cases are being reported in the district on a daily basis, he urged people to undergo Covid tests if they notice any symptoms adding that the test report will be available within 48 hours.

Norms to be followed at programmes and events in the coming days will be issued after due discussions, he added.

District health officer Dr Ramachandra Bayari said that the district has a target of reaching out to 2,01,609 senior citizens for Covid vaccinations. So far 19,050 have already taken the vaccination.

Journalists above 45 years having BP and  diabetes dose of Covid vaccine at Wenlock Hospital on March 18, Tuesday.