<span style="color: #222222;">In Karnataka, the total number of Covid-19 positive cases has crossed the six lakh mark, with an addition of 8,856 new cases on Wednesday.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">A record number of 94,886 samples were tested across the state on Wednesday which has taken the total number of tests to 49,01,083.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">At the same time 8,890 people recovered and discharged from various hospitals in the State and the total number of recoveries have gone up to 4,85,268. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Covid led to deaths of 87 patients and the total number of fatalities have increased to 8,864. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The state at present has as many as 1,07,616 active patients under treatment in various hospitals.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">AIR correspondent reports, due to the prevailing pandemic situation, Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar  has said that the penalty for not wearing a mask in public places is increased to Rs. 1000 in the urban areas and Rs. 500 in the rural areas. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Speaking to media persons after a high level meeting with the officials in Bengaluru on Wednesday the Minister said that the decision has been taken after careful consideration of recommendation by the senior officers. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He further said that the official directive of penalties will come into effect from today after discussing the same matter with the Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The minister also said that action will be initiated against organisers of public events, if they float norms of social distancing.</span><br />