The Telangana Health Department is tracking those who were in contact with these seven people.
Up to seven returnees from the United Kingdom (UK) to Telangana have tested positive for the coronavirus, state health officials said on Thursday. Following concerns about a new strain of the coronavirus, their samples have been sent to the Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for further study. Officials told the state’s Health Minister Eatala Rajender at a review meeting that those who tested positive are being closely monitored. The Health Department is also tracking those who were in contact with these seven people.
The Health Minister reviewed the situation in the wake of concern over a new strain of coronavirus found in the UK. Authorities said 1,200 people came to Telangana directly from the UK or traveled through the UK since December 9. The Health Department identified 846 people and tested them. Seven of them tested positive. They said that those who tested negative are also being monitored.
The Health Minister urged people to be alert to the warning from health experts that the new strain of coronavirus may spread rapidly. He called on people to limit Christmas and New Year celebrations to their homes and take all the precautions suggested by the government to control the spread of the virus. He urged people not to forget to wear masks, keep physical distance, and wash their hands frequently.
Rajender said that since vaccines are seen as the only way to eliminate fear of the coronavirus, the government is making all arrangements to ensure the administration of vaccines when available. He discussed with officials the arrangements for the transportation, storage and distribution of vaccines.
The minister said 10,000 health personnel are being trained to administer the vaccine. “If they can vaccinate 100 people each, we can give the vaccine to 10 lakh people every day,” he said.
The government has prepared a plan to vaccinate 70 to 80 lakh people in the first phase. Health, police, municipal personnel, firefighters and the elderly will be covered in the initial phase. The second dose should be administered 28 days after the first dose. The minister said that the software required for the vaccine administration program is ready, as he ordered officials to guarantee the supply of drinking water, tents and chairs at the vaccine centers.
The minister also asked officials to make foolproof arrangements for the required cold chain, vaccine supply, staff training and facilities at the vaccine centers.
The meeting was also attended by Health Secretary SAM Rizvi, Family Welfare Commissioner Vakati Karuna, Director of Medical Education Ramesh Reddy, Director of Public Health Srinivas Rao, Dr. Chandrasekhar Reddy of the Medical Infrastructure Development Corporation of the Telangana State, and member of the COVID-19 expert committee, Gangadhar.
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