NE NEWS SERVICE
AMARAVATI, MAY 1
All those returning from other States should undergo screening and if tested positive should go to quarantine before going to their native places as per the guidelines laid down, said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy here on Friday.
Addressing a review meeting on COVID-19, the Chief Minister called for an action plan for thorough screening and quarantine for them if necessary. During a review meeting on the containment of COVID-19 in the state, the Chief Minister said that since those coming from abroad would have a non-COVID-19 certificate, they should be sent to home quarantine.
Similarly, fishermen returning from Gujarat to Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram would also be screened before being sent home said the officials.
The AP government has conducted 1,02,460 COVID-19 tests in the state till 9 am on Friday at the rate of 1919 tests per million population.
The Chief Minister advised senior official Krishnababu to keep a constant check on the food and other facilities available at the quarantine centres. Of the 32,792 people identified in the family survey, tests were conducted to 17,585 and the remaining would be tested in two days.
Those in the high risk category were being identified to give them special treatment. The Chief Minister advised the officials to maintain utmost coordination between village clinics, primary health centres and telemedicine centres. He said that healthcare should be within the reach of everybody through telemedicine and to ensure that medicines reach the people in time.
Medical and Health Special Secretary Jawahar Reddy said that Andhra Pradesh has a low positive rate of COVID-19 cases with a total of 1.02 lakh tests being conducted in the state.
Speaking to media, he said that positive cases have been seen in three new clusters on Friday. About 72 per cent of the positive cases are from Kurnool, Guntur, Krishna, and Nellore districts. However, more number of patients are likely to be discharged in the next two days and 82 patients have been discharged in the past 24 hours, he said.
The state is gearing up the COVID-19 preventive measures. Trial tests have been started in Srikakulam and Prakasam district labs. A new lab will also be set up at Nellore and permission is yet to come so that the state can speed up the testing capacity.
Moreover, virology labs will also be set up in West Godavari and Vizianagaram districts.
ICMR has not approved plasma therapy. However, the plasma samples are collected from recovered patients under the special guidelines of emergency cases, said Jawahar Reddy.
Pension disbursed at doorsteps to senior citizens, physically challenged
Meanwhile, the state government took initiative to disburse pension to senior citizens and widows at their doorsteps for the third month in a row on Friday (May 1).
Braving scorching heat and the corona pandemic 2,37,615 village/ward volunteers completed the commitment of State government by distributing pensions at the doorstep of beneficiaries on the first day of the month.
By 3.30 pm, about 52 lakh beneficiaries have received the pension totalling it to 92 per cent. Under YSR Pension Kanuka on Friday, as many as 58.22 lakh are going to be benefitted, while the state government is spending Rs 1421.20 crores towards the initiative. Amidst COVID-19, officials have started using geo tagging technology replacing the biometric for safe distribution.
To prevent the virus spread, the volunteers have used photo identification method instead of biometric system and a separate app was used to capture the beneficiary picture through geotagging.
The volunteers have taken strict measures while distributing the pensions.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has been firm on his promises and proved that the YSRCP government would not compromise in delivering welfare schemes to the public even at these tough times. The old-age pensioners, physically handicapped are facing difficulties due to lockdown and now, providing them the pensions at their doorsteps has built confidence among them by the concern shown.
The government officials monitoring the distribution of pensions on real-time basis through dedicated software from their offices. While the pension distribution is a monthly exercise for volunteers, their work at this point in time during corona is commendable. Volunteers are also creating awareness among the pensioners to stay safe at home and checking over them for the virus symptoms, a release from the office of the Chief Minister said.
