Telangana to conduct 65,000 Covid tests a day

Health wing urges people to be cautious during GHMC elections

Hyderabad: As part of preparing for possible second-wave of Covid-19 infections in Telangana, the health department is set to ramp up testing and conduct 65,000 Covid-19 tests per day.

In the next few days, Covid designated testing centres across the State will conduct anywhere between 50,000 and 60,000 Covid tests per day, before hitting the target of 65,000 tests in a day, health authorities on Saturday said.

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In view of the threat of a resurgance in Covid cases, Director of Public Health (DPH), Dr.G.Srinivasa Rao and Director of Medical Education (DME), Dr. K. Ramesh Reddy, have also urged political parties and supporters to ensure Covid guidelines were followed meticulously during the ongoing campaign for GHMC elections.

“This is a crucial phase for Telangana because Covid infections have started to rise in other States. It’s important for all the political parties and public to follow guidelines, as suggested by the Election Commission, during the time of GHMC elections,” Dr. Rao said.

The senior health officials praised the general public for doing their best to adhere to Covid guidelines like wearing masks, hand sanitizing, maintaining physical distancing and avoiding mass gatherings.

“Today, while many Indian States are still reporting large number of Covid infections, Telangana has fewer Covid infections. That is because people here have followed Covid guidelines and State government has ramped-up testing. We urge general public to continue this momentum during GHMC elections, Christmas and Sankranti festival and the winter,” Dr Rao said.

In case of a resurgence of Covid-19, nearly 62 government hospitals across the State with combined bed strength of 20,000 beds were prepared to provide Covid treatment.

“If you combine private teaching hospitals, then there are 30,000 hospital beds for Covid patients in the State. Over 1,600 ventilators are already in place, in addition to oxygen lines, which are crucial to save lives of positive patients,” said Dr. Ramesh Reddy.

The DME said in a review meeting with Health Minister, Eatala Rajender on Saturday, it was decided to send groups of senior physicians to Covid designated hospitals in districts. “The group will identify the gaps in extending Covid treatment process in district facilities, which will be plugged in the coming days,” he said.

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