AP relaxes curfew timings in 8 districts; 6-9 curfew to continue in 5 districts

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government on Monday announced that the curfew will be relaxed from 6 a.m to 9 p.m after 30 June in eight districts where the COVID positivity rate is less than five per cent while the existing timings would continue in the remaining five districts.

The decision was taken during a review meeting held by Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy here on Monday. The curfew timings will remain the same in the five districts of West Godavari, East Godavari, Krishna, Prakasam, and Chittoor.

During the review meeting, the Chief Minister said the curfew will be in force between 9 p.m and 6 a.m in eight districts from 1 to 7 July. The decision to relax the curfew in the remaining five districts will be taken after analyzing the COVID-19 situation.

Meanwhile, Jagan instructed officials to launch 24-hour pediatric tele-medical services for children through 104 toll free number and said 150 pediatricians should be available for tele-services.

He said joint collectors should monitor 104 services which should also be extended to non-COVID diseases, including seasonal diseases. He said two doctors have been appointed in each PHC and two PHCs have been set up in each mandal. The doctors have been directed to visit the villages twice a month, Jagan added.

44,773 active COVID-19 cases in the state

The officials, meanwhile, informed the Chief Minister that there were 44,773 active COVID-19 cases in the state and 7,998 patients were being treated in hospitals. They said 5,655 people are being treated in COVID care centers and added that the recovery rate has increased to 96.96 per cent while the positivity rate has decreased to 4.46 per cent.

The officials also said that the positivity rate is less than five per cent in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Vishakapatnam, Guntur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur, and Nellore. They further said that 93.62 per cent of patients in network hospitals are being treated under Arogyasri scheme and added that only 868 calls were made to 104 number. They said 3,329 black fungus cases were registered so far of which 1,441 patients are being treated, 253 have died, and 1,635 people have been discharged.

The officials informed the Chief Minister of the action plan regarding measures being taken in preparation for the third wave of COVID-19. They said webinars are being conducted, new doctors being trained, and telemedicine services being made available. The officials said 190 psychiatrists and 16 clinical psychologists are available to provide counselling to COVID-19 patients as per the ICMR guidelines.