On Tuesday, CM of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced Rs 15,000 for the final rites of those who died of Coronavirus, a decision taken after the Opposition TDP criticised the Govt for alleged inhuman handling of bodies of COVID-19 victims.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also warned that the Govt would take strict action against dedicated hospitals if they were found denying medical treatment to patients. 

He also instructed the officials to take up a one-week special drive to provide quality services in the quarantine centres where the call centre number should be displayed for registering complaints. These decisions were taken after a review meeting on COVID-19 containment measures.

"Rs 15,000 should be given towards the last rites of the deceased & (CM) instructed the officials to issue orders immediately," an official statement quoted him as having said at the meeting.

Stating that no hospital should turn away COVID-19 patients, CM said, "If the hospital authority refuses to do so, he will be dealt with severely & the hospital permissions will be revoked."

Reddy also directed officials to focus on hygiene, medicines, quality of food at quarantine centres & ensure that the call centre number for complaints is displayed at every COVID Centre & that feedback be collected regularly.

Awareness should be created among people on the need & availability of undergoing tests & what a person who suspects that he has COVID symptoms should do.

The tests should also be carried out as per Standard Operating Procedure, which should mention the category that one has to undergo the tests, the chief minister added.

In the meeting, officials informed him that tests are being conducted in containment zones after tracing the contacts & the main reason for the deaths was patients showing up in an advanced stage of COVID-19.

They also indicated that 17,000 doctors & over 12,000 nurses could be required in the coming days for handling COVID-19 patients in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister & Minister for Medical & Health Alla Nani, Chief Secretary Neelam Sawhney, DGP Goutham Sawang, Medical & Health Special Chief Secretary KS Jawar Reddy & other officials participated in the meeting.

Last week, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu, had tweeted a video, showing bodies of coronavirus victims being dumped into a pit with the help of a JCB & demanded an apology from the chief minister.

Naidu had tweeted that such incidents are occurring time & again in the state & slammed the government for not giving the patients a 'respectful departure'.

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