Tamil Nadu news live: 2.48 lakh get vaccinated, 50,000 doses left in stock

Tamil Nadu added 4,512 fresh Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, and number of deaths crossed the 100-mark to 118 after reporting 91 deaths on Sunday and 98 on Monday. After discharge of 6,013 patients, the state had 39,335 people undergoing treatment for the viral infection. Cumulative case tally touched 24.75 lakh while the toll reached 32,506. Director of public health Dr TS Selvavinayagam said fresh cases and positivity rate have been steadily dropping across Tamil Nadu. “The state has relaxed lockdown restrictions in several areas, but it is still important for people to stay at home unless it is required to step out. Wear masks and maintain social distance,” he said.

The Union territory of Puducherry reported less than 200 fresh Covid-19 cases for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. The territory reported 196 fresh cases even as 327 patients recovered in the last 24 hours ending at 10am on Tuesday bringing down the active cases to 2,345. Of them, 1,960 are under home isolation and treatment while the rest 385 in hospitals.

The Nilgiris has administered the first dose of vaccine on the entire eligible population of tribals and tea estate workers. It’s the first district in the state to achieve this milestone. Nilgiris collector J Innocent Divya said they had completed the first phase of vaccination of all the eligible 21,800 tribals belonging to the communities such as Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas, Paniyas, Irulas and Kattunayakans from 438 hamlets in the district, which has a tribal population of 27,500.

Madras high court has suggested that the Tamil Nadu government constitute a committee to do surprise inspections to check illegal quarrying across the state.

Illegal dumping of medical waste on roads is becoming a menace in the city, especially after the second wave of Covid-19. Data from the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) corporation shows that in the last two months, 200 tonnes of medical waste was handed over, as per rules, to the civic body by hospitals and Covid care centres for incineration. A larger quantity ends up on roads. Last week, the corporation (GCC) officials penalised a truck driver for dumping several tonnes of medical waste on a road in Valasaravakkam. Conservancy staff often find masks, syringes and PPE kits on road sides.