Coronavirus: Over 14,000 foreign returnees in AP, highest number from West Godavari

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government has taken several preventive measures, like strengthening of surveillance, for prevention, containment, and control of COVID-19. It is also following the "No to Panic, Yes to Precautions" strategy to prevent the spread of the virus. So far, the state has registered seven positive cases of Coronavirus.

Following this, all passengers, both domestic and international, are being screened at Vizag airport and seaports. A total of 12,082 passengers and crew have been screened at the ports of entry and 9,867 people have been screened at the Visakhapatnam airport, A total of 1,379 people have been screened at the Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram port and 836 have been screened at the Krishnapatnam airport.

Of the 14,038 people who have returned to AP from foreign countries, 2,426 have completed 28-days observation, 11,526 are under home quarantine, and 86 have been admitted to hospital. Meanwhile, 220 samples have been tested, of which seven were positive, 168 negative, and results are awaited for 45 samples.

As a preventive measure, the government has shut down schools, colleges, and coaching centres and employees of private organisations have been encouraged to work from home. Restaurants have been advised to ensure handwashing protocols are followed and a distance of one meter between tables is maintained. The government has also appealed to the public to postpone all cultural events and avoid non-essential travel. People above 65 years and children below 10 years have been advised to stay indoors. The 104 and COVID-19 helpline have received 2,233 calls.

West Godavari district has the highest number of foreign returnees, 3,057, and also the highest number of people who completed the 28-day observation, 902. The district reported the highest number of people under home isolation, 2,152, while Visakhapatnam reported the most number of people hospitalised within the last 12 hours, 18. To date, 23 people have been hospitalised in Vizag. Sixty-five samples were tested in Visakhapatnam, of which three tested positive, 43 negative, and tests are awaited for 19 samples.