Tamil Nadu Covid lockdown news live: State records slight dip in new cases, logs 448 deaths

A day after reporting the highest daily spike in new Covid-19 cases, Tamil Nadu recorded a marginal dip in fresh infections on Saturday at 35,873. Though the number of recoveries increased to 25,776, the state’s active cases rose to 2,84,278 on Saturday from 2,74,629 on Friday. This has pushed the total confirmed cases to18,06,861. Read more

To support small farmers in TN during this critical cropping season, TAFE - Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited announced a free tractor rental scheme. This scheme is in addition to its earlier contribution of oxygen concentrators, procurement of oxygen cylinders, and support to the planned mass immunisation programme. The free tractor rental scheme will benefit around 50,000 farmers and will be available from May through July 2021 across Tamil Nadu.

Twenty-six people got their first dose of the vaccine on Saturday when chief minister M K Stalin launched the Covid-19 vaccination drive for the disabled at Ethiraj wedding hall on TTK Road. The government also made special arrangements in all vaccination centers of Greater Chennai Corporation to ensure easy access for the disabled, a press release said. People can also schedule their vaccinations via the helpline (18004250111) or video call 9700799993. Temporary special vaccination centers will also be set up, after considering safety protocols, to minimise the time of travel. Home-based vaccination will also be organised for those with severe disabilities.

J Amalorpavanathan, a public health expert and former state health department official, said several Covid-19 deaths go unreported as patients with Covid-like symptoms such as shortness of breath and fever may not have tested positive under RT-PCR test. “Tamil Nadu government should follow the criteria stipulated by World Health Organisation (WHO) when recording Covid-19 deaths,” he said. Some people deemed to have recovered from Covid-19 but died soon after must also be included in the registry for Covid-19 deaths, he added.

In April 2021, when the state government’s bulletin acknowledged 500 deaths due to Covid-19 in the city, the total number of mortalities as per death certificates issued by the city corporation was 50% more than the same period last year. Read more

Chief minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced total lockdown with no relaxations for a week beginning May 24 as the Covid-19 case count crossed 36,000 a day in the state. Shops selling groceries and vegetables too will remain shut during the lockdown period. A team of medical experts constituted by the state government had suggested intensifying Covid-19 control measures. Read more