'Don't panic but be cautious', KCR on alarming spike in COVID cases in Telangana

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, advised people not be scared or worried about the number of COVID-19 cases in the state. This comes amid an alarming spike In COVID cases.

"People should continue to be cautious and alert," the CM said. He declared that if there is an increase in the cases in the state, the medical and the health departments are ready to offer services as much as required. The CM instructed the officials concerned to prioritise emergency services to COVID-19 patients whose health condition is critical.

The CM held a review meeting here on Wednesday at the Pragathi Bhavan on the spread of the COVID-19 virus, containment measures, and the implementation of lockdown. Medical officers and experts, state-level committees with an ear to the ground about the developments regarding the pandemic across the world explained to the CM and the ministers about the present situation.

“Developments across the world show that one need not be scared about the COVID-19 issue. The global studies and the estimates by the World Health Organisation (WHO), state that despite the spread of the virus, symptoms are not appearing in a majority of people. About 80 per cent of those having the virus show no symptoms and they need no treatment. Only 15 per cent of them have Influenza-Like Symptoms (ILI) such as cold, cough, and difficulty in breathing. People with ILI will recover fast. Only five per cent of them have Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI). Care should be prioritised to these patients. A majority of deaths happened in this category. The death rate in the country is at 2.86 per cent and in Telangana state, it is 2.82 per cent. These patients had a history of other ailments. Even though there is increased movement among people after the lockdown guidelines were relaxed, the virus did not spread rapidly which is a good development," the medical officers and experts said.

"In all, it is proven that nobody should entertain fears about the COVID-19 virus. But since there is no medicine or vaccine available for the Corona virus, people should be on alert and take precautions for their safety,” they added.

Speaking on the occasion, KCR urged people to take personal precautions especially now that the lockdown has been relaxed. He also asked the medical and the health departments to be on alert. “People who got the virus were asymptomatic. Hence there is no room for anxiety. But some are having symptoms. We have to provide good medical treatment for them. There is a need to take extra care for patients with deteriorating health conditions. They should be kept at the hospitals and given treatment. People who are tested positive but have no symptoms should also be monitored. People should follow the lockdown restrictions and take adequate precautions,” the CM suggested.

“Some estimates show that the number of cases will spike in the coming two or three months in the country. Even if there is an increase in cases in Telangana, people should not be worried as the government has made adequate arrangements for treatment. The government has put in place enough PPE and test kits, masks, beds, ventilators, hospitals etc,” the CM added.