Covid-19 infections are increasing rapidly in Andhra Pradesh. The state is recording an average of 10,000 fresh cases daily since the past three weeks. If this situation continues, the state will soon replace Maharashtra as number one in infections. Why is the Coronavirus spreading so fast in the state despite the state government’s claims of taking all measures to curb the pandemic? Are the statements by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy that a bed should be allotted in the hospital within 30 minutes a mere publicity stunt? These doubts are being expressed by people in the wake of deteriorating situation.
High number of tests enough?
The chief minister, health minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas (Nani) and other YSRCP leaders have been making a lot of noise about AP topping the country in the number of tests carried out. Alla Nani has claimed that they have conducted 35 lakh tests so far as against a mere 10 lakh tests done in neighbouring Telangana. The YS Jagan government must be appreciated for achieving this feat, but the situation on the ground is not so rosy. Results of the tests are coming at least two weeks after samples are collected. Because of this, even if tests come negative, there are chances that the person might have contracted the virus. If the test comes positive after a long delay, there is lurking danger of the person moving freely around and infecting others. The government does not seem to have recognized this major flaw in its testing process while repeatedly touting its test numbers. The 35 lakh tests conducted so far brought to light 3 lakh infections in AP while 3,000 people died of Covid-19. The coronavirus is continuing its dance of death claiming dozens of lives every day.
Lack of beds and medicine
Notwithstanding Chief Minister’s orders that Covid positive patients should be given beds within 30 minutes in government hospitals, many patients are being turned away due to lack of beds. Even in private hospitals, only those who can pull some strings can land a bed regardless of their ability to shell out huge amounts of money.
Former minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao says, “The fact that the government has transformed engineering colleges into Covid care centres reveals its apathy in dealing with the pandemic. There would be no beds in engineering colleges. Patients have to use benches. No oxygen is available in emergencies. Even food and water is not supplied on time to the patients there.” He further alleged that YSRCP leaders are submitting bills to the government at the rate of Rs. 500 per patient in these centres, which itself is a big scam. He also recalled the incident of a patient dying for lack of oxygen in Nellore government hospital.
East Godavari district turns epicenter
The East Godavari is the worst hit district recording 2,000 new cases each day. The virus that was confined to urban areas until two weeks ago has now spread to the rural regions. If this pace continues, the day when AP becomes number one in the country in infections will not be far away. “The state government has already given up in controlling coronavirus. They are only conducting tests which we have proved as fake. Bills are being submitted without conducting test at all. Health department chief secretary KS Jawahar Reddy’s claim of conducting one lakh tests daily is a sham,” said senior TDP leader Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary.
TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu had earlier expressed doubts over existence of facilities to conduct one lakh tests daily in the state.
