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

Published 24 July 2026 · health

The Andhra Pradesh Health Department has stepped up precautionary measures to tackle the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, with government hospitals prepared to provide testing

The Andhra Pradesh Health Department has stepped up precautionary measures to tackle the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, with government hospitals prepared to provide testing and treatment. Acting on the directions of Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, the department has ensured the 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 for panic and asked the Health Department to remain vigilant and ensure immediate testing and treatment for people with COVID-19 symptoms. Health Secretary G. Veerapandian held a virtual review meeting with Director of Secondary Health Services Chakradhar Babu, Director of Medical Education Vishnuvardhan, officials of the Public Health Department, the Andhra Pradesh Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (APMSIDC) and other agencies.

Officials were asked to draw up phased contingency plans based on the experience of previous COVID-19 waves. As part of the preparations, 255 dedicated COVID-19 beds have been kept ready across 17 teaching hospitals, and secondary-level hospitals have been asked to earmark isolation beds according to local requirements. The department has stocked 6.78 lakh triple-layer masks in teaching hospitals and another 5.26 lakh at central drug warehouses. In addition, 58,790 N-95 masks, 4,436 PPE kits, 2,572 sanitisers and adequate stocks of antibiotics, IV fluids and other medicines needed for COVID-19 treatment are available. To ensure uninterrupted supplies, the Directorate of Medical Education has given hospital superintendents the powers to buy emergency items such as Remdesivir injections, COVID-19 testing kits and sanitisers locally, without waiting for State-level procurement.

This is expected to improve response time during emergencies. The APMSIDC has placed orders for 51,700 RNA extraction kits, 27,552 RT-PCR kits, PCR tips, filter tips, microtubes and nitrile gloves. It has also begun supplying 50 Remdesivir injections to each hospital. While the supply of microtubes and nitrile gloves has reached the final stage, the distribution of PCR strips and filter tips has begun. According to the COVID-19 daily report as of 6 p.m. on July 23, 2026, the State tested 19 samples during the day and reported three new cases, while two patients were discharged. Since surveillance resumed on June 24, 2026, Andhra Pradesh has tested 208 samples and detected 32 positive cases.