Spike in bio-medical waste during COVID-19 pandemic: Karnataka

Karnataka: In June 2020, Karnataka's Covid19 biomedical waste was just 84 tons; now, it rose to 588.03 tons.

Due to the extensive spike in COVID-19-related biomedical waste (BMW) from clinics, quarantine centres, and laboratories, Karnataka has grown as one of the highest COVID-19 waste-producing states within June and December 2020, according to the latest analysis of biomedical waste.

In state-wise, Maharashtra has the highest standard generator of COVID-19 waste – 789.99 tonnes per thirty days. On the other hand, Karnataka considered 301.55 tonnes.

India has produced above 32,996 tonnes of COVID-19 waste in the initial wave. 

This large amount of pharmaceutical and non-medical gear consumption is comparable to PPE kits, masks, gloves, cotton swabs, and shoe covers, needles, and syringes, stated under recent updates.