255 COVID-19 beds kept ready across 17 teaching hospitals in Andhra Pradesh

To combat the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Andhra Pradesh Health Department has stepped up precautionary measures, with government hospitals ready to provide testing and treatment. Acting on the instructions of Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, the ministry ensured availability of testing kits, medicines, dedicated COVID-19 beds, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential medical supplies.

At a recent review meeting, the Minister said there was no need to panic and asked the Ministry of Health to remain vigilant and provide immediate testing and treatment to people with COVID-19 symptoms. Health Minister G. Veerapandian held a virtual review meeting with Director of Secondary Health Services Chakradhar Babu, Director of Medical Education Vishnuvardhan, officials of Public Health Department, Andhra Pradesh Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (APMSIDC) and other agencies. Authorities have been asked to prepare phased contingency plans based on experience in previous waves of COVID-19.

As part of the preparations, 255 dedicated COVID-19 beds have been kept ready in 17 teaching hospitals and secondary hospitals have been asked to allocate isolation beds as per local requirements. The ministry has stocked 6.78 lakh three-layer masks in teaching hospitals and another 5.26 lakh in central drug stores. There are also 58,790 N-95 masks, 4,436 PPE kits, 2,572 disinfectants and sufficient quantities of antibiotics, IV fluids and other medications required for COVID-19 treatment.

To ensure uninterrupted supply, the Directorate of Medical Education has authorized hospital administrators to purchase emergency supplies such as Remdesivir injections, COVID-19 test kits and disinfectants locally, without waiting for purchase at the State level. This is expected to improve response time in emergency situations.

APMSIDC ordered 51,700 RNA extraction kits, 27,552 RT-PCR kits, PCR tips, filter tips, microtubes and nitrile gloves. It has also started supplying 50 Remdesivir injections to each hospital. While the final stage of supplying microtubes and nitrile gloves has been reached, the distribution of PCR strips and filter tips has started.

According to the daily COVID-19 report as of 18:00 on July 23, 2026, the State reported three new cases by testing 19 samples during the day, and two patients were discharged. Since surveillance resumed on June 24, 2026, Andhra Pradesh has tested 208 samples and detected 32 positive cases. In the state, 12 patients are hospitalized, 11 are in home isolation, five have recovered or been discharged, and four people have died.

The Ministry of Health stated that the situation in the state is under constant monitoring and asked people not to panic. Those with symptoms have been advised to go to the nearest government hospital and the ministry said arrangements have been made for testing and treatment.