COVID-19 pandemic in Andhra Pradesh

On March 10, Andhra state government started a two-day door-to door survey to identify people who had recently traveled to COVID-19 affected countries. This was carried out through a network of ASHA workers, Auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM), village and ward volunteers.[9] Until 19 April, 32,000 people were identified with influenza like symptoms in the process.[10][11]

RCCE (Risk Communication and Community Engagement) strategy was adapted with the support of UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), to reach training and awareness on Covid-appropriate behaviour to 1.06 crore households. A month-long mask campaign #MaaskeKavacham has also been initiated for 95% mask utilisation in urban and rural areas.[12]

The Andhra Pradesh government launched mobile testing centers around the end of May, which operate from government buses converted into testing facilities. These mobile centers have been parked at key areas of public transit such as railway stations and airports. The test samples collected from these centers produce results within 48 hours from collection. The samples are managed by the government health department and the test subjects are required to produce an ID proof and Aadhaar number. If the test subjects are passengers who have been travelling, then they also need to provide their PNR/flight numbers to the health officers there.[13]

1. The government of Andhra Pradesh began closing its public spaces on March 18 and 19. These included, educational institutions and non-essential commercial places like cinema halls, gyms, malls, and swimming pools.[14]
2. This was followed by a complete state-wide lock down announced on the March 22. Both of these restrictions were to be followed until the March 31, 2020.[14]
3. A national 21 day lock-down was imposed by the center starting March 25, 2020.[15]

The Health, Medical and Family Welfare department of Andhra Pradesh directed all District collectors to establish quarantine centers at district level with 200 beds and constituency level with 100 beds each.[16] By March 25, all district hospitals in the state were instructed by the Health department of Andhra Pradesh, to setup isolation wards.[17] The state, on 31 March, identified dedicated COVID-19 hospitals- 4 at state and 13 at district level.[14]

On 25 March 2020, through its village volunteers, the state distributed 1 kg red gram and April's quota of rice, to all its ration card holders.[18] This service was provided door-to door followed by the hand-out of Rs1000 - one time monetary assistance - on 4 April 2020, to these households.[19] This monetary assistance was aimed to provide assistance to around 30 lakh families at a scheme cost of Rs. 1300 crore.[20]

On 31 March 2020, all district administration in Andhra Pradesh were directed by the state government to prepare shelter with lodging and boarding services for migrant labors and homeless.[21] These shelters were to be managed by individual 'Nodal Officer', appointed by the District Collector or Municipal Commissioner. The state also mandated Rapid Health checkup of all residents by an Auxiliary Nurse Mid-Wife (ANM) of Primary Health and Surveillance Team.[14]