Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh): Andhra Pradesh health authorities have stepped up COVID-19 monitoring and preparedness measures in YSR Kadapa district following the detection of eight active cases and two recent fatalities linked to the virus, prompting a statewide alert to strengthen preventive efforts.
Officials said the district has witnessed a fresh rise in infections, leading to the deployment of special rapid response teams to contain any further spread. Surveillance has been intensified in affected areas, with health workers conducting contact tracing, sample collection, and public awareness activities.
Among the reported deaths was a 52-year-old man from Rajampet, who tested positive for COVID-19 after developing fever and cough. He later died while receiving treatment at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. Another victim, a 43-year-old man from Kadapa, was admitted to the Government General Hospital with underlying health complications, tested positive during treatment, and subsequently died in the hospital’s COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.
A 25-year-old medical student from Kadapa Medical College has also been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is currently recovering in home isolation under medical supervision.
As part of the containment measures, health officials collected samples from nearly 40 individuals in the affected localities. Eighteen samples have tested negative so far, while the remaining reports are awaited. Samples from confirmed cases have also been sent to a laboratory in Pune for genome sequencing to determine the circulating variant and study its transmission pattern.
During a review of the situation, Andhra Pradesh District In-Charge Minister Savitha instructed district authorities to ensure strict implementation of COVID-19 protocols. Speaking with District Collector CH Sridhar and District Medical and Health Officer (DM&HO) Ravi Babu, she directed officials to strengthen surveillance, enforce preventive guidelines, and expand public awareness campaigns.
The minister also ordered mandatory mask usage in crowded places, including hospitals and other public areas, and instructed health teams to promptly identify individuals showing symptoms such as fever, cough, or breathing difficulties. Symptomatic patients are to be tested immediately and shifted to isolation facilities whenever required.
Authorities have intensified sanitation and disinfection drives in affected areas, while close contacts and family members of infected individuals are being tested. Those found positive will be admitted to isolation wards, whereas others will remain under home isolation with regular health monitoring.
Following the developments in Kadapa, the Andhra Pradesh Health Department has issued a statewide preparedness alert, directing all district administrations to reinforce surveillance, testing, reporting mechanisms, and infection-control measures. Hospitals have also been asked to keep isolation wards, beds, and essential medical facilities ready to respond to any increase in cases.
Officials have appealed to the public to remain vigilant, follow basic hygiene practices, wear masks in crowded places, and seek medical advice without delay if COVID-19-like symptoms develop, while stressing that there is no need for panic.
