Looking at the increase of COVID-19 cases in districts bordering the state of Kerala, Karnataka, on Friday, forced some additional measures to contain the spread of the virus. In an order, state Revenue Secretary N. Manjunatha Prasad said, "Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all districts across the state may impose additional containment measures to reduce COVID cases."

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Going by the new guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Union Health Ministry, the Deputy Commissioners of all districts have been advised to take stringent surveillance measures at the border post to control the spread of the virus. 

After the COVID-19 second wave curve flattened over the weeks, a surge in positive cases since Monday made the state government extend its guidelines till August 31, on Wednesday.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs has extended measures to be taken by states to ensure compliance to the containment steps such as the 5-fold strategy of test, track, treat, vaccination and adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour," said Prasad in the order.

According to the state health bulletin, after registering a record 1,001 new cases on Saturday (July 24) across the state, more infected persons began testing positive since Sunday when 1,606 cases were reported, 1,501 on Monday, 1,531 on Tuesday, and 2,052 cases on Wednesday.

As epi-center of the pandemic in the state, Bengaluru reported 426 fresh cases, taking its COVID tally to 12,26,889, including 8,467 active cases.

The infection also claimed 34 lives, including 9 in Bengaluru, taking the state`s death toll to 36,325 and the city's toll to 15,861 since the pandemic broke out in mid-March, 2020.