From Our Bureau
15th April 2020
Only six fresh cases of COVID-19 were reported in Telangana on Wednesday, taking the State’s total to 650 confirmed cases. The death toll remained at 18, with no fatality in the last 24 hours. 118 patients were discharged after recovery and 514 active confirmed cases were in the hospitals.
According to a media bulletin from the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, in view of COVID-19 global pandemic, the State of Telangana has strengthened surveillance, contact tracing and containment measures against the possible spread of disease.
Majority of the cases are in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation areas. Hyderabad district is high focus area. Robust containment is being initiated in GHMC areas. A special strategy is being adopted to contain spread of infection in GHMC areas. In line with 30 GHMC circles, senior officers (doctors) are being identified and vested with the powers of District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) so as to ensure prompt and immediate action. In as many as 22 out of 33 districts in the State, containment is done in 259 clusters.
Till date, there is no evidence of community transmission in Telangana. Seven Diagnostic labs are functional 24/7 to meet the Diagnostic demand. The family contacts and secondary contacts of Markaz, Delhi are being traced, tracked, tested and treated for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has declared that the government is ready to conduct tests on any number of people and offer treatment to people who are suffering with the Corona Virus. He made it clear that as per the guidelines given by the Central Government, lockdown in the State would continue till April 20 as it is. He desired that the initiative shown by the people’s representatives, cooperation extended by people for the implementation of lockdown and assistance to the poor should continue.
The CM held a high-level review meeting on the measures taken to contain the Corona virus spread, implementation of the lockdown, assistance given to the poor, procurement of the agriculture produce, Central government guidelines and others issues at Pragathi Bhavan on Wednesday. Medical and Health Minister Etela Rajender, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, DGP Mahender Reddy, Principal Secretary (Finance) Ramakrishna Rao and others attended.
Medical and Health Minister Rajender explained about the arrangements made for the Corona Virus tests and measures taken for the future requirement. He said that there were 514 active cases in the hospitals, eight were discharged on Wednesday and another 128 would be discharged on Thursday.
The CM said that to contain spread of Corona virus, lockdown in the State had been implemented well. People have extended their excellent cooperation. People should continue their support in the days to come. As per the guidelines given by the Central Government, lockdown in the State would continue till April 20 as it is. Later, based on the circumstances prevailing then, changes would be done. People should support the lockdown as they are doing now, he added.
“Based on those who are suffering with Corona, 259 Containment Centres are opened in the State and they are managed effectively. Stringent measures are taken so that the virus does not spread. We have adequate test kits to conduct tests on any number of people in the State. There is no scarcity of the PPE Kits in the State. We have so far procured 2.25 lakh PPE kits. The number will increase to 5 lakh shortly. We have placed orders for another 5 lakh kits. In all, the State will have 10 lakh PPE Kits,” KCR said.
“As on date in the State, we have 3.25 lakh N95 Masks. The number will increase to 5 lakh very soon. We have placed orders for another 5 lakh N95 Masks. With this, our State will have 10 lakh N95 Masks. Besides this, Ventilators, other medical equipment, number of doctors, other medical staff, hospitals and beds are ready. So far, 20,000 beds are ready. Even if the patients increase to one lakh, the government made all arrangements for their treatment. The Telangana government is ready to wage a battle against the Corona virus,” the CM declared.
The Public representatives have taken lot of initiative in monitoring the assistance given to the poor and procurement of the agriculture produce. Sarpanches, Municipal Chairpersons, Mayors, Councillors, Corporators, MLAs and Ministers are working with commitment. This work should go on. You must educate the people and ensure that the government policies and programmes are reaching the people. Except Medical and Health and Municipal Administration Ministers, the other ministers and MLAs should remain in their districts, constituencies and monitor the situation,” the CM urged.
“The government has taken several measures so that no one in the State should suffer with hunger or starvation. The government announced cash prizes for those who are working very hard. These are all received by the beneficiaries. For every poor family, we have deposited Rs 1,500 cash in the banks in their accounts. The programme to distribute 12 Kg rice per person has almost been completed,” he pointed out.
“The cash incentives announced by the government for the sanitary workers, municipal, gram panchayat staff and 10 per cent additional pay to the medical staff has reached them. Since sanitation works should continue in the villages and urban areas without any break, for all the gram panchayats in the State for April month, Rs 308 Crore and for all municipal corporations and municipalities Rs 148 crore is released,” the CM announced. (eom)
