Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has announced high alert in five districts of the state in anticipation of the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

This decision has been taken following the three positive cases that have been reported from the neighbouring state Kerala and a case in Hubballi where a software engineer developed a fever after returning from China.

According to the authorities, a high alert has been sounded in the Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts. These three districts fall along the state’s border with Kerala.

The Hubballi-Dharwad district is also on high alert after a techie from the city returned from China and complained of a fever. He has been quarantined and his blood samples have been sent to Pune for tests.

“He was working in Wuhan city itself. He returned after the outbreak,” informed sources.