This is an archive article published on April 20, 2020
As COVID-19 testing kits arrive, Andhra ups testing in 4 key districts
Coronavirus (COVID-19): With 44 new cases reported in the last two days, the number of cases in the state has gone up to 647.
Written by Sreenivas Janyala
Hyderabad | April 20, 2020 01:15 AM IST
3 min read
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The testing kits arrived on Friday from South Korea. (File Photo/Representational)
Coronavirus (COVID-19): With the arrival of one lakh kits in the state, the Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday ramped up COVID-19 testing in the four worst-affected districts—Kurnool, Guntur, Krishna and Nellore—from 3,000-5,000 tests per day to 17,500 tests.
While 158 positive cases have been reported in Kurnool so far, 129 cases have been reported from Guntur, 75 cases from in Krishna and 67 cases from Nellore. With 44 new cases reported in the last two days, the number of cases in the state has gone up to 647.
In another decision, the government has also started a pilot project to home-deliver fruits in parcels costing Rs 100 each. State Agriculture Minister K Kannababu said the state had witnessed a bumper crop of fruit but there is no sale because of the ongoing nationwide lockdown. “Why let them rot? We can sell packets comprising 3-4 varieties of fruits at cheap rates,’’ he said.
The government has already procured 7,000 metric tonnes of bananas directly from farmers, the minister said. The pilot project has been launched in Kurnool – which has over 50 containment zones. The parcels being home delivered contain 20 fruits. Officials of the Agricultural Marketing Department have been tasked with arranging deliveries.
“The government is procuring all the fruits directly from the farmers so that they do not face any loss during this crisis. This not only helps the government utilise the produce, but also ensures availability of nutritious and good quality fruits to citizens at their doorstep,’’ an official said.
For preparing masks, the government has also pressed 40,000 members of women’s Self Help Groups into service. These groups will make a total of 16 crore masks for distribution to the public in line with with the government’s earlier decision to provide each person in the state with 3 masks.
Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance.
Expertise and Experience
Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues:
High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules.
Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes.
Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak.
Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More
3 min read
The testing kits arrived on Friday from South Korea. (File Photo/Representational)
