Firm measures in place to fight COVID-19 pandemic, Jagan assures Modi
By Newsmeter Network Published on 2 April 2020 12:30 PM GMT
Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2 April on the steps being taken by the state government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, Mr Modi had a video conference with all Chief Ministers during which Jagan told him 132 cases have been recorded in Andhra Pradesh so far, out of which 111 are related to the Tablighi Jamaat event. These include 91 people who attended the event and 20 who came in contact with them. "We have identified 1,085 persons who attended Nizamuďdin Markaj and have quarantined them," Jagan said, adding cluster containment strategy is being implemented to control the situation. He requested Mr Modi to send the required equipment to the state as soon as possible.
From 10 February, 27,876 foreign returnees have entered the state. All of them have been kept under observation. Of these, 10,540 are from urban areas and 17,336 from rural areas. The Chief Minister said regular survey was being conducted by volunteers, ANMs, and Asha workers who are helping the health department monitor the situation.
Jagan said 2,012 non-ICU beds have been kept ready in Vizag, Vijayawada, Nellore, and Tirupati. Moreover, special hospitals have been set up in 13 districts to treat COVID-19 patients. A total of 10,933 non-ICU beds and 622 ICU beds were set up in these hospitals. Another 20,000 beds are also ready in cities and towns. He also informed Mr Modi that 1,000 ICU beds are ready in the state.
Ration has been provided to people along with an additional 1 kg dal for free and the same will be provided twice in April. Moreover, monetary assistance of Rs 1,000 will be provided to the poor to meet their expenses. About 218 camps have been set up to accommodate 9,695 people, including 5,876 people from other states, Jagan said.
Due to the financial burden on the state as a result of the pandemic, the government has deferred 50 per cent of the salaries of all employees, the Chief Minister said and requested Mr Modi to consider the state’s financial situation as the state expenditure has skyrocketed due to COVID-19.
Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh were also present during the video conference.
