Despite 12 Covid hotspot districts, Telangana ‘flattening’ the curve

 Naveen S Garewal

 Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, April 30

Telangana has emerged as one of the nine states in the country where the COVID-19 cases are doubling in 20 days, thereby providing the much-needed relief in flattening the curve on the spread of the virus. The state government has said rigorous testing and stringent lockdown conditions had given good results.

Chief Minister K Chandershekhar Rao expressed his opinion in favour of extending the lockdown beyond May 3. The state has identified various districts as Covid hotspots and containment zones.

The highest numbers of cases have been reported from Hyderabad in the state and a total of 12 districts have been identified as hotspots so far. But despite being the ninth state in the country in terms of numbers, the spread has been well contained.

Initially, the state used a firm hand in dealing with violators of the lockdown, but now the Telangana Police is using drones and CCTV cameras to identify those violating the prescribed norms, including staying home, to book them and confiscate their vehicles. Of the 1,016 reported positive, the state has 582 active cases with only 25 deaths so far.

Meanwhile, while the nation has banned the sale of alcohol, neighbouring Andhra Pradesh government has issued orders allowing toddy tapping in the state. The orders enabling toddy tappers to earn their livelihood were issued by R Karikal Valavan, special chief secretary, today.

Nearly four lakh people in the state are involved with toddy tapping as the demand for the naturally brewed liquor peaks in the summer months. Toddy tapping has been allowed after relaxation of lockdown regulations for agriculture and horticulture operations by the Central Government.

The move brings respite for toddy tappers, especially in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, where the community taps toddy from palmyra trees.

At the same time, Telangana has taken the decision to designate senior officials as nodal officers for the movement of people stranded due to the lockdown. IAS Officer Sandeep Kumar Sultania and Additional Director of Police (Law and Order) Jitender will receive and evaluate applications from people who need to travel during the lockdown following the prescribed protocol.

They will also request chief secretaries of other states to make transport arrangements to pick up people from their states who are stranded in Telangana, besides making arrangements for bringing back people to Telangana.