Bengaluru, The sudden rise in number of Covid-19 positive cases in Karnataka are due to more tests being conducted across the state, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said on Friday.

"More positive cases are registered in the state as more tests are being conducted. About 2,000 tests daily since the last 2-3 days as against 500 tests daily earlier," he said in a statement after a cabinet meeting here.

According to the state Health Department, 38 positive cases were reported in the last 24 hours raising the southern state's tally to 353, including 82 discharges and 13 deaths.

"Treatment protocols of the tested patients, especially those in the intensive care unit will be intensified to minimise deaths," said Yediyurappa.

The cabinet also favoured plasma treatment on all patients even after they recover and are discharged to prevent the virus attacking them in the absence of vaccine to cure the infection.

"Medical experts have also advised the state government to test even those who have influenza symptoms like fever, severe cold, cough and breathlessness to ensure they are free from Covid virus," said the statement.

A separate app is being developed to test patients with flu and associated symptoms.

"Tests will also be conducted on patients with influenza symptoms in the districts where no single Covid case has been reported so far," the Chief Minister said.

Of the 30 districts across the state, 10 have remained free from even a single Covid case, while 10 are hotspots with more than 10 cases, while the remaining 10 have 1-10 cases.

"To increase the number of tests daily, 10 more labs will be set up by this month-end although the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has directed the state to set up 2 labs in each district and one in every medical college across the state," the statement said.

The state government is also bracing up to treat more patients after the extended lockdown ends on May 3, as there will be more number of positive cases in proportion to testing.

"Guidelines will be issued to companies to ensure social distancing, hygiene, wearing masks and washing hands with sanitizer by their employees after the lockdown is relaxed from next week," added the statement.