Andhra Pradesh has intensified covid-19 surveillance after Kadapa district reported two Covid-positive deaths and eight active cases. However, the situation prompted the state health department to strengthen surveillance and preparedness.
Taking cognizance on the issue, the Health authorities have deployed rapid response teams, intensified testing and directed hospitals to remain prepared as officials work to contain the spread of the infection.
A 52-year-old man from Rajampet in Kadapa district died while undergoing treatment at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, after testing positive for COVID-19 following symptoms of fever and cough.
In a separate incident, a 43-year-old man from Kadapa, who had been admitted to the Government General Hospital with health complications, also tested positive for the virus and later died while receiving treatment in the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit.
Meanwhile, a 25-year-old medical student from Kadapa Medical College has tested positive and is currently recovering in home isolation.
District health officials informed a recent Zilla Parishad meeting that Kadapa currently has eight active Covid-19 cases.
Following the fresh infections, special rapid response teams collected samples from around 40 people in affected localities. According to officials, 18 samples have tested negative, while the remaining results are awaited.
Samples from positive cases have also been sent to a laboratory in Pune for genome sequencing to identify the virus variant and study its transmission pattern.
Andhra Pradesh District In-Charge Minister Savitha has directed officials to take immediate measures to prevent further spread of the virus in Kadapa.
During a review with District Collector CH Sridhar and District Medical and Health Officer Ravi Babu, the minister instructed authorities to strictly enforce Covid-19 guidelines in affected areas and increase public awareness.
She directed officials to make mask-wearing compulsory in crowded places, including hospitals and other public spaces. Authorities have also been asked to identify people showing symptoms such as fever, cough and breathing difficulties and shift them to isolation facilities wherever required.
Health officials have intensified sanitation drives in affected areas through cleaning and bleaching operations.
The minister also instructed authorities to immediately test family members of infected individuals. Those testing positive will be shifted to isolation wards, while others will remain under home isolation with regular monitoring.
Following the developments in Kadapa, the Andhra Pradesh Health Department has issued a statewide Covid-19 preparedness alert. District administrations have been directed to strengthen surveillance, testing, reporting mechanisms and infection-control measures.
Hospitals have also been instructed to keep isolation wards, hospital beds and medical support systems ready.
Authorities have urged the public to remain calm, maintain hygiene, wear masks in crowded places and seek medical attention if they develop COVID-like symptoms.