COVID-19: 68 fresh cases in AP, tally reaches 2,205, govt to recruit 550 doctors

Amaravati (AP), May 14 () As many as 68 freshCOVID-19 cases were confirmed in Andhra Pradesh, where thetotal number of infections rose to 2,205 while one death dueto the virus was reported, taking the toll in the state to 48,the health department said on Thursday.

Meanwhile Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddydiscussed the strategies to be followed while exiting theongoing lockdown to contain the virus spread and

He also sought strengthening telemedicine and homedelivery of medicines.

The state government is in the process of recruiting550 doctors to work in COVID-19 designated hospitals acrossthe state, a state government bulletin said.

Out of 68 new cases, 32 patients were from otherstates resulting in a net of 2,100 cases from AP, it said.

In the last 24 hours, one person died in Kurnooldue to the disease, it said.

So far, 1,192 people have been discharged aftertreatment in the state.

Of the fresh cases, Nellore district reported 15,nine in Chitoor, five in Guntur, two each in Kadapa, Krishnaand Srikakulam districts, while one in West Godavari.

Thirty-two cases were from other states.

Out of the total cases reported, 21 were linked tothe Koyambedu market in Chennai, according to the bulletin.

Samples of 9,256 people were tested and 50 peoplewere discharged in the last 24 hours.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy held a reviewmeeting with Deputy ChiefMinister(Health) A K K Srinivas,Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney, DGP Goutam Sawang and othersenior officials.

Reddy discussed the strategies to be followed whileexiting the ongoing lockdown to contain coronavirus spread, anofficial release from the CMs office said.

The state currently has 290 containment clusters andout of which no fresh COVID-19 cases were reported for thepast 28 days in 75 zones.

The CM asked the officials to prepare standardoperating procedure (SOP), as part of the exit plan, on how tooperate movie theatres, restaurants, public transport andeducational institutions taking utmost care.

He said every Primary Health Centre in the stateshould have motorcycles by July 1, to strengthen telemedicineand for home delivery of medicines prescribed.