In Karnataka, a record 8,642 new covid -19 positive cases were reported during the last 24 hours  taking the total to 2,49,590. <br />''<br />'' Among the new cases Bengaluru city reported  the highest number of 2,804. Shivamogga reported 915, Mysore 562 and Bellari 537.<br />''<br />''According to the State Health department  63,085 swab samples were tested during the last 24 hours and the total number of tests have gone up to 21,97,259.   81,097 covid active patients are taking treatment in various hospitals  in the State among them 704 are in ICU.  126 covid patients lost their life and the total number of deaths have increased to 4,327.  The State recovery rate is 65.77 percent and the mortality rate is 1.73 percent.<br />