With a slight rise in Covid-19 cases, the Karnataka government will assess the situation over the next 3–4 days before deciding on reopening schools and colleges, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Sunday.

He emphasized that the current sub-strain of the virus does not pose a major threat. “Although the strain isn’t dangerous, precautions will be taken due to the academic calendar. A review will help us make informed decisions,” Rao told reporters.

The state recorded nine new cases on Sunday, bringing the active count to 47. Of these, 46 patients are recovering at home and one is hospitalized. In the past 24 hours, 104 samples were tested, with a positivity rate of 8.65%. Since the beginning of the year, Karnataka has seen 98 cases, with 50 recoveries.

An 84-year-old man with comorbidities passed away in Bengaluru on May 17 and tested positive posthumously on May 23.

Minister Rao assured citizens that most patients are recovering without needing special treatment. “There is no cause for alarm. Adequate testing kits are available, and testing is ongoing at designated Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDL),” he added.

Currently, the state has 2,500 rapid antigen kits, 1.3 lakh RNA kits, and 2 lakh viral transport medium (VTM) kits. Kits have been distributed to 10 labs including NIMHANS, BMCRI, and the NIV Bengaluru unit. The government has also ordered 5,000 RT-PCR kits monthly to bolster readiness.