Mask up, fresh Covid cases in Tamil Nadu cross 500-mark

CHENNAI: The number of daily corona positive cases in Tamil Nadu crossed the 500-mark after 112 days. On Thursday, 552 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the state, which now has 2,313 active cases. It was less than 650 at the start of this month.
Among the new infections, nearly 70% were from the two districts - Chennai (253) and Chengalpattu (129). The test positivity of these two districts is above nine percent, which is almost thrice the state's average. Due to spread among family or household members, the state health department has planned to intensify testing in these districts.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has written to all educational institutions to strictly adhere to Covid protocols. GCC commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi has asked institutions using air conditioners to ensure proper ventilation, and leave some windows open even if AC is used.
Stringent norms are back at the Chennai International Airport. Covid certificates are mandatory. Two international passengers - from Singapore and the US - who tested positive have been kept in isolation. No covid-related deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.
Addressing the media, TN health minister Ma Subramanian said the 18-year-old girl from Thanjavur who died of covid on Wednesday had fever and other symptoms for over three days but did not visit the hospital.
"We have been repeatedly requesting the public to seek medical assistance if they develop symptoms. Many countries are witnessing 30,000 to one lakh new cases every day now. Against this backdrop, vaccines are the only way to prevent the spread. Even after taking the second dose, immunity will reduce after nine or ten months. So, we urge (all those eligible) the public to take the booster shots without further delay," he said.
In Tamil Nadu, only 40% of those, aged 18 to 59, have got their booster precautionary doses, which are administered only at private health centres at 388 per shot. Also, to improve vaccine coverage among children, GCC has asked heads of educational institutions to arrange vaccination camps in their campuses.