No Need To Panic Over Coronavirus: AP Guv, CM  

AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday sought to dispel fears on Coronavirus, stating “there is no need for any panic” but appealed to people to "stay at home" and follow all precautionary measures to prevent its spread.

The Chief Minister came up with the slogan "no to panic, yes to precautions" as he directed the official machinery to be on high alert and spare no efforts to educate people.

In a separate message, the governor asked people to avoid non-essential travel and maintain social distancing.

He advised them to take care of both the elderly and children at home.

Harichandan also appealed against visiting religious places till the situation becomes normal.

He said, by taking necessary precautions and following health discipline,"we can win the war against coronavirus" together and "protect ourselves, our families, our society and our nation."

Meanwhile, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, through a video conference, directed district collectors and health authorities to monitor the situation and spread the message of social distancing in an effective manner.

He said only three positive cases of COVID-19 were reported in Andhra Pradesh so far and that the three infected persons returned from Italy, the UK and Mecca.

As many as 12,500 people, who returned to the state from various countries over the last few days, have been kept in "home isolation."

"As on date, 966 passengers were identified for observation and of them, 677 are currently in isolation while 258 people completed the 28-day isolation period.

In addition, 31 persons are under hospital observation," the Chief Minister said.

He also said that there was no need for panic buying as the shops would remain open.

Those flouting rules and creating panic among the public would be strictly punished, he warned.

"Public need not panic or get misled by false news and hoard provisions on a large-scale.

The shops are not going to be closed and there will not be any disruption in day-to-day life or in the availability of essential commodities," Jagan added.

Stern action would be taken against those who inflate prices of commodities in the name of coronavirus, he warned.

Jagan said 21 medicines prescribed by WHO and ICMR, including paracetamol and antibiotics, were kept in stock in all hospitals.

He directed the district collectors to inspect the hospitals regularly and check availability of required medicines. PTI

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