2,000 medical personnel infected by Coronavirus

As many as 2,000 healthcare personnel, including doctors and frontline health workers, have been infected by the Coronavirus in Telangana state so far. Of these, 16 persons have lost their lives with 14 of them succumbing to Covid-19 related issues, according to Director of Medical Education Dr K. Ramesh Reddy.

Addressing a press conference along with Director of Health Services Dr G. Srinivasa Rao here on Tuesday, Dr Ramesh Reddy said the welfare of doctors and other frontline staff was a priority for the government.

“If anyone is infected, we are providing the treatment needed. We are immediately responding and providing whatever is required. One officer has been given the task of processing the claims of the special insurance scheme for health workers that was announced by the Prime Minister,” Dr Reddy said.

In addition to Covid-19, the government is also seized of ensuring treatment for seasonal diseases such as dengue, swine flu, malaria and diarrhoea. Instructions have also been issued to all hospitals to attend to elective surgeries that have been put on hold as the healthcare sector focused on controlling of Covid-19.

“So far there have been few cases of dengue and swine flu but we have to take care to prevent these diseases. If needed, government hospitals have been instructed to run evening clinics,” Dr Reddy said.

With respect to Covid-19 treatment, he said government hospitals, even in remote areas, have been provided with oxygen supplies along with the required medicines to

treat cases of Coronavirus infection. A majority of the 319 doctors recruited recently have reported to work at remote health centres.

Dr Srinivasa Rao said the symptoms of many of the seasonal diseases, including typhoid, chikugunya, dengue, malaria

and viral fevers, were similar to those of Covid-19. “We appeal to the people not to take chances and go to the nearest health centre to get examined. If found to be Covid-19 positive or for other diseases, appropriate treatment will be started immediately,” he said.