Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday evening held a presser to brief the public about the steps being taken to fight COVID-19. He also touched upon the economic aspects that concern the poor.

Here are some of the highlights of KCR's address:

Now that State borders have been closed, there is no chance of infections getting from other States. Some villages have closed down their gates to visitors. This is good to an extent. But such hurdles will adversely affect the movement of goods, etc. So, the villagers are requested to behave wisely.

The government is ready for any eventuality. We will face the challenge come what may. The PM has assured me that the Centre's helping hand will always be there.

Our responsibility is to avoid crowds and take care of ourselves. The health infrastructure is fragile in India. Our strengths are unity and discipline. People are cooperating during the lockdown.

10 positive cases were registered today (Friday). Most of them are foreign returnees. A couple in Secunderabad has infected their own son out of ignorance. This kind of local transmission is unavoidable.

Arrangements are on to put in place isolation wards that can accommodate 11,000 non-serious patients. 1,400 ICU beds will be set up in Gachibowli Stadium in 2-3 days. We have ordered for 500 ventilators.

Even if 50,000 positive cases are witnessed, our health infrastructure and human resources will be adequate to manage the situation.

A pool of new set of doctors, paramedics, retired doctors, technicians, PG students, etc. will be put on the task if the infection spreads in the future.

I urge the public not to lower guard or be negligent. We are fighting a devil. This war entails costs and we have no option but to bear the pain. Please cooperate with the government servants.

I assure everyone in Telangana, whichever State they are from, that they will be taken care of. Don't panic. We will fill your stomachs no matter what.

We will permit more and more private labs to do testing only once the government capacity is exhausted. We don't want to give private labs a window to exploit people.

Don't ask me silly and useless questions regarding examinations, property tax filings, etc.

Addressing the poor:

This is the time for local body representatives to become the heroes of their villages by ensuring that the targeted sections receive the benefits of welfare schemes.

Our State needs about Rs 35,000 Cr. We are going to lend from the RBI.

I assure the poor that the promised cash benefits will definitely reach you all even if there is some delay. Minimum Support Price will be ensured and benefits transferred by a month or so.

Since the markets have been closed, cultivators will have to sell their produce in their villages. Arrangements have been made to ensure that.