'Telangana needs to increase COVID-19 tests': Union Minister G Kishan Reddy

Telangana needs to ramp up COVID-19 testing though recovery rate in state has improved, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "Recovery rate is good in Telangana also. But, I feel number of tests need to increase." ting that Telangana was at seventh place from bottom, among all states, in testing, Reddy wished state to move up in list as it was "rich and developed." Reddy, who was speaking after inaugurating Rotary Blood Plasma Bank here, said he spoke to state Health Minister Eatala Rajender on matter and that state government was also making efforts to step up testing.

Centre has provided about 14 lakh N-95 masks, about 2,40,000 PPE kits and 1,400 ventilators, among ors, to Telangana, Minister of State for Home said ding it was even rey to provide more ventilators to Telangana.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held a video conference with Chief Ministers of various states recently, has stressed on t compromising on testing, he pointed out.

Referring to Modi's reported statement that testing needs to be enhanced in five states, Reddy said Telanagana was among m.

Union Minister claimed that though population of India was more than 11 developed countries, it was doing well in terms of positive cases and deaths.

While number of positive cases per one million population in US was 17,498, it was 2,156 in India.

He also stated that number of deaths per million population in America was 541, while in India it was 40.

Sixty per cent of those who died h comorbidities, while 40 per cent succumbed to coronavirus.

To a query on reported remarks of Telangana Goverr Tamilisai Soundararajan on COVID-19 in state, he said she has t me any criticism against state government.

Soundararajan, who is Constitutional he of state, is a medical doctor, and she has me suggestions out of her experience, he said.

Observing that even common people can make suggestions, he said it was also her responsibility as Goverr of state.

Contending that it was t a political issue, he said it was about a pandemic and even common people have right to make suggestions.

Neir Centre r BJP have anything to do with remarks of Goverr, he clarified.

Reddy disapproved of exorbitant charges allegedly being collected by some private hospitals in city for COVID-19 treatment.

As on August 22, number of positive cases in Telangana was 1,04,249 and recovery rate in state was 77.30 which is 74.69 per cent at national level.

total number of tests conducted in state cumulatively was 9,31,839. 

Im Credits: PTI