ALL FAMILIES IN ANDHRA PRADESH TO BE TESTED FOR COVID-19 WITHIN 90 DAYS: JAGAN MOHAN REDDY

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday instructed the health department to conduct COVID-19 testing for all the families in the State within 90 days.

Jagan added that '104' vehicles must be retrofitted with facilities to collect samples in addition to testing people for diabetes and hypertension, among other things. One '104' emergency vehicle will be allocated for each mandal and teams of ANMS, Asha Workers and volunteers will be formed to help in screening and testing.

"People suffering from diabetes, BP and other chronic ailments should also be addressed to, and the 104 ambulances should carry adequate equipment and medicines. For urban areas, a separate strategy should be adopted, and urban health clinics should be planned. They should be fully equipped with medical staff," Jagan was quoted as saying by India Today.

Jagan emphasised that people should be educated about COVID-19 and those infected should not be stigmatised.

On Monday, Andhra Pradesh reported 443 new cases of COVID-19 taking the tally to 9,372. Five people succumbed to the virus on that day after which the death toll rose to 111. As many as 4,435 patients have recovered following treatment.