Release COVID bulletin on daily bases: HC tells T govt

The Telangana Health Department, on February 23, had decided not to issue the COVID-19 bulletin daily basis. Instead, the bulletin will come on a weekly basis every Monday. The department said that due to the low number of cases in the state and prioritising the vaccination process, the department has decided to release the bulletin on a weekly basis.

The High Court asked the health department to resume it within 24 hours and update details of tests and vaccinations on the state health portal.

Also, the court has directed the government to conduct another serosurvey in the state. The department replied that the state has already completed three serosurveys since the breakdown of COVID19.

The court also directed the health department to prevent large gathering and make widespread publicity of the vaccine registration process in the state.

Health authorities in Telangana are making arrangements to administer the Covid-19 vaccine to 55 lakh people under the third phase of vaccination from March 1.

With the Centre giving the green signal for Covid vaccine for people above 60 years of age and those above 45 with comorbidities, the health department started making arrangements for administering the shot to beneficiaries in these two groups.

Meanwhile, the health officials estimate that around 45 lakh people are above 60 years old, and about 10 lakh people in the 45-60 age group with co-morbidities in the state will get vaccinated from March 1.

The health department has decided to set up 1,500 centres across the state to cover both the target groups.

The authorities had initially worked out plans to vaccinate about 75 lakh people, including 3.5 lakh healthcare employees, 2.5 lakh employees of various frontline departments, 65 lakh people. Telangana currently has six lakh doses of the vaccine, and the health department expects to receive another 10 lakh in the next couple of days.

Officials said the vaccine would be administered at all government hospitals and 230 private hospitals linked with Aarogyasri Trust. Besides, 1,000 primary health centres in rural and urban areas and Basti Dawakhanas will also serve vaccination centres.

The beneficiaries can register themselves on the COWIN app by uploading the Aadhaar card as proof of age and voter card of any of the 11 other identity cards.

Those with comorbidities have to submit certificates from the doctors treating them. The beneficiaries can also choose the vaccination centre where they want to take the jab. However, they will not be given the option to select the brand of vaccine.