India, May 27 -- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday directed health authorities to stay fully prepared amid a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, warning against any laxity in the state's response. "There is no need to panic right now. But we must keep all systems ready - ventilators, oxygen, medicines - in case the situation worsens," he said during a high-level review meeting.

The CM, who met with Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, senior officials, and medical experts, stressed proactive action. He asked hospitals across the state to be on standby, with essential infrastructure and personnel in place. "District hospitals must be fully prepared. There should be no negligent attitu...