Telangana reported over 1914 fresh COVID-19 cases during the past 24 hours. With this, the number of COVID cases reported in the state so far has gone up to 3 lakh 16 thousand 649 (Repeat 3,16,649). With 285 more people recovering from COVID-19, the total recoveries in the state has gone up to 3 lakh three thousand 298 (Repeat 3,03,298) with 95.78 per cent recovery rate.<br />'' <br />'' According to the State Covid Bulletin, five more persons succumbed to COVID-19 and other comorbidities taking the total deaths in the state to 1734 (Repeat 1734). The state has currently over 11 thousand active cases and more than half of them are in home isolation. Meanwhile, the GHMC area reported 393 fresh COVID-19 cases during the past 24 hours while Medchal Malkajgiri, Rangareddy, Nirmal, Nizamabad districts reported over 100 fresh cases during the same period.<br />'' <br />'' COVID Vaccination programme is underway in Telangana and the state-administered vaccines to over 16 lakh eight thousand people which include over 10 lakh 21 thousand those who are above 45 years of age. The number of Vaccination Centres also went up to 1178.<br />'' <br />'' Meanwhile, state government has decided to double the number of COVID tests as part of measures to contain spread of the Pandemic. State Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar asked District Collectors and senior health officials to double the number of daily Covid tests. He stressed on the need for early detection of infections and quick response to reduce morbidity and mortality. He held a video conference with the district authorities last evening.<br />'' <br />'' The decision came when the state is witnessing spike in the number of cases it is reporting daily. The Chief Secretary also directed the district authorities to ramp up the pace of Covid vaccination and ensure at least 1.25 lakh vaccines daily. Meanwhile, the Telangana High Court has asked the state to step up RT-PCR tests to contain the pandemic. Over a bunch of PILs, a divisional bench headed by Chief Justice Hima Kohli has directed the Government to rectify the lapses in implementing Covid restrictions.