Updated: December 22, 2020 8:50:25 pm
In less than 24 hours, 158 of them have been tracked and are being monitored, said Dr. G Sreenivasa Rao, Telangana’s director of public health. (Archive)
Amid growing concern over a new strain of the new coronavirus detected in foreign countries, the Telangana health department reported on Tuesday that it is in the process of tracking and tracking 358 passengers who have returned to the state in the last seven days with a UK travel history. In less than 24 hours, 158 of them have been tracked and are being monitored, said Dr. G Sreenivasa Rao, Telangana’s director of public health, adding that the seven passengers who arrived Monday tested negative for the virus and were placed in quarantine.
Rao said that all international passengers arriving in Hyderabad will be watched and monitored for their health status. A separate control room for those who have returned. from United Kingdom and 11 other countries have been created, such as Australia, South Africa, Italy, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, etc.
“We have alerted all the line departments and intensified surveillance at the airport. A team of 50 people is on 24-hour surveillance work. We ask those who have returned from the UK, the European Union and some other countries where this new variant was found to call 040-24651119 and inform the health department, get tested and be monitored for the next 14 days, “he said. Rao to reporters here. “At one point, more than 70,000 international travelers were under surveillance. The same process will continue. We have institutional quarantine facilities for 1000 people, if necessary, “he added.
Given the upcoming Christmas, New Years and Sankranti festivities, he called on the public to be responsible and restrict celebrations to their homes. “We are fully prepared to face a second wave, although COVID-19 has been under control in Telangana. The test positivity rate, new infections, new hospital admissions, recovery rate, and death rate are under control. “
Regarding the launch of the COVID vaccine, he said that the state is ready to vaccinate 2.88 lakhs of healthcare workers, staff from other departments who are at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19 and people over 50 years of age. and those with comorbidities but under 50 years of age to be vaccinated. “We keep the cold storage facilities ready for Rs 3 million vaccine doses at the state level in addition to the district level. All the necessary training for frontline workers will be completed on December 23, different committees have been formed and public representatives are getting involved to raise awareness, “he told the press.
RT-PCR rates were further reduced
On Tuesday, the health department reported that the maximum fees charged for RT-PCR tests in Telangana have been lowered.
The Director of Public Health, in an official order, said that the maximum fees charged for testing (RT-PCR) by private laboratories approved by NABL and ICMR in the state are now Rs 500 (including all charges, the cost of the test plus PPE) instead of Rs. 850, if samples are collected in labs / hospitals, and Rs 750 (instead of Rs 1200) if samples are collected at home (including all charges, cost of test plus PPE)
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