Fall Likely In E Godavari, Kurnool From End August

Visakhapatnam: The state health department officials estimate that the number of new Covid-19 cases may witness a gradual drop in East Godavari and Kurnool districts, the top two hotspots in the state, starting from the fourth week of August.

Officials are of the opinion that these districts have already entered the peak stage of novel coronavirus infections.

Anantapur, Nellore, Prakasam, Krishna and Guntur districts may also see a drop in cases in September after reaching their peak. Andhra Pradesh has tied up with a USA-based research varsity for devising Covid-19 containment strategies and planning for testing and treatment facilities. The projections were arrived at through a model on which the researchers based their data.

Speaking to TOI, Dr C Prabhakara Reddy, special officer, state Covid Control Centre, said these factors would lead to a significant drop in the number of new cases each day over the next couple of months. “Andhra Pradesh currently has about 0.9% mortality rate, which is much lower than the national average and this may further improve in the coming months. Almost all districts will witness the drop in the volume of the cases by October after reaching their individual peaks,” said Prabhakara Reddy.

Dr Prabhakara Reddy added that the state had projected the present case numbers three months ago. “That is how the state was well prepared in its fight against the pandemic by adding the needed oxygen lines to the beds, procuring CPAP machines and augmenting medical infrastructure and facilities for the then impending surge in cases. A lot of scientific planning has gone into preparations for the pandemic,” said Reddy.

Dr Reddy said the state has already launched a community-based sero survey to monitor the transmission of infection among the general population. “This will also help understand the extent of the spread of the disease in the common public. At this juncture, I request the public to not start self-treatment for Covid-19. This will lead to other medical complications. Once the patient is diagnosed with Covid-19, he/she should start treatment only under the supervision of a medical practitioner,” said Dr Reddy.

Andhra Pradesh witnessed a steep hike in numbers in July with an almost 1,000% increase in cases. The state is currently reporting about 10,000 cases a day and between 70 to 80 deaths.