New COVID Variant: 1200 passengers arrive from UK since Dec 9, seven test Covid positive in Telangana

During a high-level meeting, officials informed Health Minister Eatala Rajender that 1200 air passengers returned to Telangana from the UK from December 9 till date. Of them, 846 persons were tested for Covi. Seven samples have come back positive.

Officials informed the minister that positive samples were sent to the CCMB lab to check for the type of virus strain. "All flyers from the UK are being monitored and efforts are on to trace the contacts that got in touch with the virus-infected passengers. Those who tested negative are also being monitored closely," officials told the minister.

Eatala appealed to the people to be alert in the wake of medical experts' statements that this new virus strain from the UK is likely to spread rapidly. He urged people to celebrate Christmas, New Year, and Sankranthi celebrations at home in view of the prevailing situation. He urged the people to follow all the precautions prescribed by the government to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Minister said all arrangements are being made to roll out the vaccine as soon as it is available. Arrangements for storage of the vaccine, transportation, and distribution were discussed by the minister with the authorities.

Eatala said ten thousand vaccinators were given training to administer the vaccine He pointed out that if each of them could give the vaccine jab to one hundred people per day, nearly one million people could be vaccinated per day.

The minister noted that plans were afoot to vaccinate 70 to 80 lakh people in the first phase. Health, Police, Municipal, and Fire personnel as well as the elderly will be vaccinated in the first phase. Eatala said software is also ready to administer a second dose 28 days after administering the first dose.

Ealala told officials to equip facilities like drinking water, tents, and chairs in centers earmarked for giving the vaccine. The minister directed the authorities to look into the cold chain arrangements for the supply of the vaccine, the mapping of vaccine recipients, the training of the staff, and the facilities required at the vaccine centers.

The minister said the public health system needs to be fully strengthened to withstand epidemics like the Corona. He said government hospitals are being strengthened as per CM K Chandrashekar Rao's directions.

The minister directed authorities to purchase 11 CT SCAN and 3 MRI machines immediately. He wanted them to be made available at the earliest. Further, the minister desired that quality medical equipment is procured at less rates.

All operation theaters in government hospitals were ordered to be upgraded with modern technology and state of the art equipment. It was suggested that these be ready in another six months. Officials estimated that this will require a Rs 30 crore budget.

Following the success of Basti Dawakhanas, 8 diagnostic mini hubs have been readied for the medical examinations of the patients visiting these facilities. X-RAY, Ultra Sound, ECG tests will be done in Basti Dawakhanas along with blood tests. The minister said these diagnostic hubs were set for launch from the end of this month.

The minister also ordered to increase in the number of dialysis centers and machines. He suggested officials take steps so that dialysis patients are not made to travel long distances.