AP,TS fear Covid-19 heat

Prolonged lockdown if coronavirus cases are not kept under control

Even as the Centre is planning to lift the nationwide lockdown in a phased manner from April 14 in states that do not register new coronavirus cases, the increasing number of Covid-19 positive cases in the Telugu states is causing major worry for the two governments.

In the beginning, the two states, particularly AP, were in control of the situation. However, since the last three days, the number of coronavirus positive cases has seen a sudden jump in AP and Telangana state. While the total number of cases in AP has crossed 180, the figure in Telangana state is 170 plus.

Three days ago, going by the decreasing trend, Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar

Rao had expressed the hope that the state could be free of Covid-19 by April 7. Around the time, Andhra Pradesh too had recorded a small number of cases.

But many followers of the Tablighi Jamaat returning from Delhi after their meeting with coronavirus has changed the scenario for the two states.

The administrations have decided to intensify their operations against coronavirus in the coming

10 days.

Their aim is to bring down the number of new cases to a minimum, so that they could start lifting the lockdown from April 14. However, if the

Covid-19 cases continue rising, the states will have no choice but to prolong the lockdown.

Both TS and AP have been losing revenues heavily due to the lockdown, particularly when they are facing a cash crunch. A lockdown beyond April 14 will mean the financial situation of both the states will go from bad to worse.

The two states have decided to take drastic measures to contain coronavirus by strictly implementing the lockdown.

The number of deaths recorded in TS has already entered double digits while AP registered its first death two days ago.