Rao asks officials to take strict measures in Hyderabad and surrounding areas to check COVID-19 spread

Hyderabad, May 6 () Telangana Chief MinisterK Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday asked officials to focus moreon Hyderabad and its surrounding areas, where the new COVID-19cases are being reported, and implement effective measures tocontain the spread of the virus.

Rao, who held a meeting with Health Minister E Rajenderand officials on COVID-19 containment and implementation oflockdown, told officials to be on alert in villagesbordering Guntur and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh inview of the rampant spread of the virus there.

"The situation in the State is under controlexcept in Hyderabad and its surrounding districts.The spreadis less in other districts.

All the new cases being reported are from Hyderabad,Medchal, Rangareddy and Vikarabad districts.Hence theofficials should focus more on Hyderabad," Rao said.

Rao suggested providing treatment to those havingvirus symptoms and quarantining all those who came in contactwith the positive cases, according to an official release.

He favoured implementation of strict measures toprevent people moving in and out of Hyderabad, it said.

He said efficient police, IAS and health officers canbe appointed as special officers.

He asked the officials to be alert in villagesneighbouring Guntur and Kurnool ditricts of AP.

"Coronavirus spread is rampant in theneighbouring Kurnool and Guntur districts of AP.

Appoint special officers in these border districtsand see to it that nobody enters the state nor leave it," hesaid.

Speaking after a meeting of the state cabinet onTuesday night, Rao announced extension of lockdown in thestate till May 29.

The lockdown was due to end on May 7.

According to official information on May 5 night,the total COVID-19 cases reported in Telangana stood at 1,096.

The number of people discharged was 628, while thenumber of deaths 29. SJR BNWELCOME BNWELCOME