With test centres accepting walk-ins, most suspected cases now travel via public transport or private vehicles to get themselves tested. Even COVID-19 positive patients are sent home in cabs and public transport after they are advised home quarantine. The lack of safety measures in such cases pose a risk of exposure to a large number of people, experts said. 

Naveen Kumar, a 47-year-old resident from Villivakkam had to be hospitalised for two days after he tested positive recently. He was discharged after two days and advised home quarantine. “But no ambulance was provided to return home, and I came home in a cab,” he told DT Next. 

Several patients in the city recounted such instances. Due to the long waiting time for ambulances, several critical patients are rushed to hospitals in private vehicles posing risk of infection to family members. 

“I could not wait for an ambulance as the oxygen levels of my COVID-positive father were constantly dipping. Despite having a risk of getting infected, I had no choice but to take him to the hospital in my car,” said 

Sathish K, kin of a patient admitted at a government hospital. With public transport opened in the State, several low and middle income group patients travel to hospitals or screening centres using this mode of travelling after coming to know they are positive. 

“While travelling in private vehicles poses a risk of infection to the family members mainly, travelling in public transport would expose a large number of people to COVID-19,” said a healthcare expert. 

When contacted, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine Dr TS Selvavinayagam claimed that adequate ambulances were available for transporting patients. “Besides, we have designated hospitals and care centres in every area to avoid public travelling long distances,” he added.