Man from Hyderabad tests positive for coronavirus

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is raging across 58 countries in the World, has now reached Telangana. 

On Monday, health officials confirmed that a 24-year-old software employee hailing from Hyderabad, with a travel history to Dubai, has tested positive for COVID-19, which marked the first such case in Telangana. Another patient with a travel history to Italy also tested positive in New Delhi, taking the overall tally of COVID-19 positive cases in the country to five.

The diagnosis of a positive COVID-19 case in Hyderabad has triggered a measured and firm response from public health officials in the State.

Health authorities in Hyderabad have already identified nearly 80 contacts of the COVID-19 positive patient, who are now under home isolation and will be tested for 2019-nCoV.

The COVID-10 positive patient, who was admitted to Gandhi Hospital at 3.36 pm on Sunday, is in isolation ward and stable. Health officials said that the youngster also underwent treatment at Apollo Hospital before he was referred to Gandhi Hospital.

“We urge public not to panic and get carried away by fake news in various social media platforms. We have been preparing for this day for the past few months and this is the time for all of us to remain cautious. We are fully equipped to meet any kind of exigencies,” State Health Minister Etela Rajender said on Monday.

The COVID-19 positive patient is a software employee in a Bengaluru firm and visited Dubai on February 17 where he worked with a group of nationals from Hong Kong. The youngster came back to Hyderabad from Bengaluru in a bus along with 27 other travellers on February



22.

The State and Central disease surveillance teams have identified close to 80 contacts (all relatives), who had come in close touch with the 27 bus travellers. All the contacts will undergo diagnostic tests and will be under home isolation under the supervision of surveillance teams.

After conducting a brief review over 2019-nCoV preparedness, Health Minister Etela Rajender said that the health wing had access to nearly 100 isolation beds in Hyderabad.

Health officials have set aside 40 beds each at Fever Hospital, Nallakunta and Gandhi Hospital, while another 20 beds along with isolation wards have been made available at Chest Hospital, Erragadda. Apart from isolation beds, the health officials also have access to 10 beds with ventilator support at Gandhi Hospital.

“Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has directed the health department to utilise special funds to meet any kind of emergency financial requirement. The Chief Minister has also directed us to coordinate with Municipal Administration to strengthen precautionary measures for coronavirus. I urge the general public to be very cautious and keep taking basic precautions,” Etela said.

State health wing will not leave any stone unturned to restrict the spread of COVID-19 in Telangana. It is also the responsibility of international travellers to contact a doctor immediately when they have symptoms like cough and cold. Basic etiquettes during coughing and sneezing must be followed by individuals. “We will also launch a mega awareness drive on COVID-19 in the coming days across Telangana,” Health Minister Etela Rajender said.