A STATE IN A STATE OF DENIAL

As COVID-19 cases surged past the 16,000 mark on July 1, the Telangana government fell back on a failsafe option—extend the lockdown in containment zones till July 31. Severe restrictions were back on the movement of people, especially in capital Hyderabad, where a third of the state’s residents live. On the day, it recorded 945 new cases (16,339 and counting) and hospitals also discharged 1,712 people, who have either recovered or have mild symptoms. It was the first time since the pandemic raised its head in the