Spike in coronavirus cases Leaves Babus Shell-Shocked

Hyderabad: Although Telangana was sitting pretty with positive cases only in single digits, the developments on Wednesday when eight positive cases were registered on a single day shocked and caught the health department by surprise.

Now, Telangana is the sixth most affected State in the country in the number of positive cases registered so far.

While the total number of positive cases has crossed 180 and racing towards 200 mark, Telangana has registered a total of 14 cases until Thursday.

Maharashtra is at the top of the heap with 49 cases followed by Kerala with 27 cases. Next come Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (with 17 cases each). Karnataka is just above Telangana with 15 positive cases.

As it was found that the 10-member Indonesian preachers group moved in and around the district Collectorate complex over two to three days, the health department has zeroed in on a containment zone of 3-km radius around that place and has shifted all its focus on it.

With positive cases reported in Telangana so far found to have travel history to nations like Indonesia, Holland, Scotland, United Kingdom etc, the State government has decided to keep all passengers coming from abroad under quarantine.

Earlier the focus was on seven severely affected countries to which another four countries were added few days ago.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao said that, as on Thursday, more than 1,150 passengers coming from 11 affected nations were placed under quarantine by the government in its own facilities.

However, some of them have expressed desire to be under isolation in the comforts of their big homes and it was decided to allow such persons to go to their homes.

But they should stay in home quarantine strictly without venturing out and health teams will keep a close watch on them, Rao said.

With suspected cases growing in number every week, the Telangana government has decided to seek the services of CCMB, Tarnaka facility to conduct more sample tests.

Gandhi Hospital, which is at the thick of action for last one month can test not more than 120 samples a day. However, on the other hand CCMB lab can test 500 to 600 samples a day.

Informing these details, KCR said that though they have CCMB facility here in Hyderabad, they can't use the lab at this crucial juncture as it is controlled by the Centre.

He stated that he would take up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his video conference meeting with CMs of all States slated for Friday.