The daily average of new COVID-19 infections has passed the 1,300 mark in the Chittoor district since mid-April. The positivity rate is close to 25%, which is of great concern to the district’s medical and health administration.
As of April 22, the district had the second highest number of 1.06 lakh positive cases in the state and 935 victims. Up to 93,900 patients have recovered and there are 10,318 active cases.
The district COVID task force is fully prepared for emergencies, says M. Penchalaiah, district medical and health officer. “The district has massive COVID care facilities. We have the services of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) available to patients. SVIMS, SVRR and Padmavathi hospitals are our main strengths in large numbers of patients,” he says.
The state hospitals in Tirupati, Chittoor, Nagari, Madanapalle, Kuppam and Palamaner are currently equipped with adequate beds for COVID patients. “As of now, we are ready with almost 5,000 beds in all hospitals in the district, including 2,000 in private hospitals. There is no shortage of oxygen and ventilation facilities for the patients who need critical care. We are monitoring the situation to make the facilities at.” To ramp up as needed, “says Dr. Penchalaiah.
COVID Task Force Special Envoy P. Ravi Raju says that for the first time in India, the provision of pulse oximeters to patients in isolation at home has begun at the Triage Center of the Government Hospital in Nagari Township. “Patients who are isolated at home are prone to sudden fluctuations in oxygen saturation, and it could even lead to sacrifice. We started this with about 100 units,” he explains.
“The COVID hospitals in the district are also serving patients from the Rayalaseema area and Nellore district. We have also taken steps to set up mini-COVID care centers in the Mandal and constituency headquarters for more effective service,” he added.