Chittoor district, which witnessed fewer than 500 cases per day in the past week, is now again witnessing an uptick with over 900 cases being reported on Friday.
The district continued to top the State in the death toll as well, with nine casualties in the past 24 hours. Since March last year, Chittoor saw 1,575 COVID-related deaths.
With the relaxation in curfew being extended from 6 a.m. till 6 p.m., public movement returned to normal even as COVID protocols were largely ignored. Heavy traffic was witnessed at many places in the district.
Amid the threat of a third wave, the district medical and health administration has stepped up efforts to bring additional staff and medical equipment to COVID hospitals and care centres. Though the operation of APSRTC buses is yet to resume towards Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu, private vehicles are being freely allowed to cross the border.
The report of a Delta-plus variant case emerging from Tirupati on Friday had put officials on edge,…