KCR allows private hospitals, labs to conduct COVID-19 tests; orders 50,000 tests in 5 districts

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, on 14 June, announced that private hospitals and laboratories in the state can now conduct COVID-19 tests. During a high-level review meeting at Pragathi Bhavan here KCR announced strict measures for Hyderabad and surrounding areas to contain the spread of the virus.

He said that 50,000 COVID-19 tests will be conducted in 30 Assembly segments of Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Vikarabad, Medchal, and Sangareddy districts within the next 10 days as a precautionary measure. He has instructed officials to prepare guidelines for private hospitals and laboratories to conduct the tests, offer treatment, and also ask them to finalise the fees.

According to officials, the five districts have reported a higher number of cases compared to other districts in the state. Hence, KCR has asked them to focus on Hyderabad and the other four districts. He has also instructed that measures be taken on a war footing in the 30 Assembly segments in these districts.

“Hyderabad is the heart of Telangana. Though the rate of spread of novel corona virus is low in the state, more positive cases are being reported in Hyderabad and its surrounding areas. We have to end this," KCR said.

In the next 10 days, 50,000 people from Uppal, LB Nagar, Maheswaram, Ibrahimpatnam, Rajendranagar, Seri Lingampalli, Chevella, Pargi, Vikarabad, Tandoor, Medchal, Malkajgiri, Qutballpur, Kukatpally, Malakpet, Amberpet, Musheerabad, Khairatabad, Jubilee Hills, Sanath Nagar, Nampally, Karawan, Gosha Mahal, Charminar, Chandrayangutta, Yakutpura, Bahadurpura, Secunderabad, Secunderabad Cantonment, and Patancheru will undergo COVID-19 tests, the Chief Minister announced. He asked officials to allow private labs and hospitals to conduct the tests and also directed them to finalise the guidelines for conducting the tests and the fees to be collected.

Those who test positive but have no serious symptoms will be home-quarantined, the CM said. “The decision to test 50,000 people is a precautionary measure and people should not panic. However, everyone should follow the precautions, especially the elderly who should remain indoors. People with other health complications should also be careful. The government is ready to offer treatment to COVID-positive patients whatever the numbers. We have adequate test kits, PPEs, ventilators, ICU beds, and masks. There is no cause for fear," KCR said.

The state health minister, Etela Rajender, chief secretary Somesh Kumar, CMO principal secretary S. Narsing Rao, secretary Rajasekhar Reddy, senior medical officials, and experts attended the meeting.