From Our Bureau
13th April 2020
Sixty-one fresh cases of COVID-19 were reported in Telangana on Monday, taking the State’s total to 592 confirmed cases. The death toll rose to 17, with one person succumbing to the virus today. 103 patients were discharged after recovery and 472 active confirmed cases were in the hospitals.
According to a media bulletin from the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, majority of the cases are in GHMC 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.
CONTAINMENT ACTIVITY IN THE STATE
In as many as 28 out of 33 districts in the State, containment is done in 228 clusters. In all, 6,41,194 households and 27,32,644 persons were surveyed. The Director urged older/ senior citizens to stay within the house all the time and avoid having visitors at home. They shall be actively mobile within the house and consider doing light exercise and yoga at home. They are asked to ensure proper nutrition, eat home cooked fresh hot meals, hydrate frequently and take fresh juices to boost immunity. They are advised to take daily prescribed medicines regularly and in case of any symptoms immediately contact nearest health care facility. They are urged to talk to their family members, relatives, friends via call or video conferencing and take help from family members if needed.
INITIATIVES TAKEN UP
Till date, there is no evidence of community transmission in Telangana. 246 Containment areas are identified and process initiated. Daily video conference is being conducted by Chief Secretary with all concerned officials from 9am to 11am. Diagnostic labs (6) 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.
The citizens are urged to self-report at the government health facilities in case of onset of symptoms like fever, cough and breathing difficulty. The citizens are requested to reach out and report to the nearest government health facility in case they have travelled to Markaz, Delhi or contacted any person who has travelled to Markaz, Delhi.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has instructed officials concerned to pay more attention to Hyderabad city (under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation -GHMC- jurisdiction area) as patients with Corona Virus are more in numbers here. He wanted Hyderabad city to be divided into Zones and each zone should be treated as one unit and each unit should have a special officer. He also wanted the Containment centres with positive cases to be managed properly.
He asked officials and people to be more cautious in the backdrop of increase in the positive cases within the State and in the neighbouring states. He instructed the medical and health department to be more vigilant and to be ready in all aspects.
The CM held a high-level review meeting on measures taken to contain the spread of Corona virus, implementation of lockdown and others issues on Monday at Pragathi Bhavan. Medical and Health Minister Etela Rajender, Chief Advisor Rajiv Sharma, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, DGP M Mahender Reddy and Principal Secretary S Narsing Rao participated in the meeting..
The officials informed the CM that there were 61 new positive cases and one death on Monday. In the backdrop of increase in positive cases, all laboratories and hospitals were kept ready.
They said the measures were taken up and infrastructure was ready so that every day about 1,000 to 1,100 tests can be done and treatment can be given to any number of patients.
The CM reviewed the efforts put in to prevent spread of Corona Virus in Hyderabad city and other districts, implementation of lockdown and procurement of paddy. He spoke directly to some of the district officials and made several suggestions.
“More cases are getting registered in the Greater Hyderabad area. In Hyderabad, there are more chances of the persons with positive cases quickly spreading it to others. Hence, there should be a special strategy for Hyderabad. The 17 circles in the city shall be treated as 17 units. In every unit, a special medical officer, municipal officer, police officer and revenue officer shall be put in charge. The entire Municipal Administration department should involve in prevention of Corona Virus. As on date, there is only one DM&HO in Hyderabad City. Senior medical officers shall be appointed in each of the 17 Circles,” the CM said.
“Based on the positive cases, we have created 246 containment centres. There are 126 containment centres in Hyderabad alone. These centres must be managed more effectively. Please do not allow people from the containment centre to go out and don’t allow others to enter these centres. Please appoint a special nodal officer and police officer at the centres. Under their supervision, maintain a strict vigil. The government machinery should supply the essential commodities to the people in these centres,” the CM said.
The CM said the increase in positive cases should be treated with seriousness in GHMC area where there is high density of population. He wanted Medical and Health Minister, Municipal Administration Minister and other senior officials to review GHMC Circle wise every day morning from Pragathi Bhavan. Necessary action should follow based on the review. The CM has once again requested people not to come out of their homes and be more cautious as there was a spike in the Corona Virus Positive cases. (eom)
