CM KCR directs health officials to take steps to check the possibilities of Covid-19 spread

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Wednesday directed health officials to take steps to check the possibilities of COVID-19 spread given the arrival of migrant workforce in large numbers from other States following exemptions given by the Centre.

So far, 41,805 persons have returned to Telangana by road, 239 persons by trains and another 798 persons have arrived by flights.  With more persons expected to return in the coming days, the Chief Minister directed Health Minister, Eatala Rajender to be vigilant and prepared to meet all exigencies.

“We are not leaving any stone unturned to contain the coronavirus threat following the significant increase in the arrival of persons from abroad and migrants from other States,” Rajender said.

Those reaching Hyderabad in flights were being quarantined in private facilities while those arriving in trains are undergoing mandatory screening for fevers at railway stations. Special camps have been set-up at State borders to ensure people reaching Telangana by road undergo



screening.

Persons who do not have any symptoms are issued quarantine stamps on their wrists and advised to remain under home quarantine for a period of 14 days. The Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) in villages have been working overtime to identify those returning to villages. “Persons showing symptoms on arrival are immediately shifted to a hospital for diagnosis,” the Minister said.

“The State government is doing its best to contain the spread of the ailment. However, we will only succeed when individuals and the community as a whole come together and strictly follow precautionary norms,” he said.

The Health Department had to deal with situations in the three phases so far. First it was screening of passengers arriving from abroad at Shamshabad international airport and later efforts to identify Markaz returnees and their primary contacts.

In the third stage, the focus is on incoming migrant workforce, families, individuals, private employees and students, Rajender added.