Hyderabad: 10 things you should know about the COVID19 situation

On the same lines, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Area is also reporting a spurt in COVID 19 cases. On Tuesday, Hyderabad area alone constituted 184 cases in the state.

Here is the list of 10 developments in Hyderabad, you should know about:

The rise in the number of Covid19 cases

Over the last 10 days, the GHMC area has reported 1,371 cases. In the last week, the city has seen cases above 130 each day, the highest being on 30th March, when Hyderabad reported 184 cases.

Private Hospital running out of the beds

With the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state, many private hospitals in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area are running out of beds.

The medical bulletin by the Telangana government on Wednesday showed that Global Gleneagles Hospital has zero beds available for the COVID-19 patients. All the beds in this hospital, which are reserved for the COVID-19 patients have been filled. Similarly, Apollo Hospital in Hyderguda has only two beds available, Apollo Hospital in Secunderabad has only three beds available, Apollo Hospital at DRDO has eight beds available while Apollo at Jubilee Hills has only nine beds available.

Peak in April

The health department officials have raised the alarm in regard to another surge in April and May. The peak will slow down in the months of June and July, officials said.

No Lockdown

Amid rumours of another lockdown in Telangana, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao clarifies that government has 'no' plan to shut down.

Speaking in the on-going state assembly session on 26th March 2021, Chief Minister said, "At any cost, there won't be a lockdown in Telangana, the public need not panic. But, citizens are advised to wear masks, maintain social distance and regularly sanitize. At large gatherings like weddings or public meetings, I request the organizers to reduce the participants in order to curb the spread of virus."

Schools Closed

Telangana Education Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy, on March announced that all educational institutions ( residential as well) except for medical colleges in the state will remain closed temporarily from March 24, 2021 onwards. But, educational institutes will continue with online classes. "This decision was taken in view of the spread of Covid and at the request of parents," the minister said.

The decision was taken after the state saw a spurt in COVID19 cases across various educational institutes.

Mask Compulsory and restrictions

The Telangana government on 27 March issued an order making it mandatory to wear masks in all public places, workspaces, and public transport.

In the order, Somesh Kumar, the chief secretary, said, "Wearing of masks in all public places, workspaces, and public means of transport shall be mandatory across the state. Any deviation in this regard shall attract prosecution under section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005 and Section 188, IPC as well as other applicable laws."

The government also imposed restrictions on public gatherings, congregations, rallies, and processions during the upcoming religious events till 30 April.

"Congregations pose a considerable threat of rapid transmission of COVID-19. Therefore, it is decided that public celebrations/observances should not be allowed in the state during upcoming religious events such as Shab-e-Barat, Holi, Ugadi, Rama Navami, Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, and Ramzan till 30 April," Mr. Kumar said in another order.

Vaccination in the private facility

Telangana tops the list of states for the highest number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered - 48.39 per cent -in private facilities, the Union ministry of health said on 30 March.

The state has administered 13,21,050 vaccines, including 9,93,622 first dose and 2,36,715 second dose. Around 4,25,940 vaccine jabs were given to persons above 60 years of age followed by 3,94,841 health care workers, 2,29,002 person above 45 years with comorbidities, and 1,80,554 to frontline workers.

The state also reported only 2.01 per cent vaccine wastage.

"From bad to worse"

The ministry said that the COVID-19 situation in the country is going "from bad to worse" and it is a huge cause for worry. It also directed states witnessing a spike to ramp up testing with a focus on RT-PCR, isolation, tracing contacts, and boosting healthcare resources.

"The COVID-19 situation is turning from bad to worse in the last few weeks, especially in some states. It is a huge cause for worry. No state, no part of the country, or district should be complacent," said V.K Paul, NITI Aayog member (health).

Dissatisfaction over demand from public to celebrate festival

The director of public health (DPH), Government of Telangana had shown his dissatisfaction over people asking for permission to celebrate Holi and Shab-e-Barat in the midst of the second wave of COVID-19, but later thanked the public for following the norms.

"It's very heartening to note that people of the state, especially Hyderabadis took heed to the request of the government to make Holi and Shab-e-Barat celebrations a low-key affair in view of the prevailing second COVID-19 wave," said Dr G. Srinivasa Rao, DPH.

Vaccination for person of age 45 and above from April 1

The Central Government on 23 March announced that everyone above the age of 45 years will get vaccinated after 1 April.

So far, all people above the age of 60 and those above 45 with comorbidities were being vaccinated.

From 1 April, people above the age of 45 will not require a comorbidity certificate to get vaccinated, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday. Anybody suffering from serious cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, AIDS, and persons with disabilities had been included in the list of people suffering from comorbidities.