As many as 50 people, including 48 returnees from the Delhi Tablighi Jamaat meet on Monday tested positive for coronavirus in Tamil Nadu, taking the total number of cases in the state to 621, the Health Secretary said. This is the sixth straight day Tamil Nadu has witnessed a sharp surge in the number of positive cases and continues to be in the second position the country with the maximum cases following Maharashtra, which has 748 infected people.
"There are 50 new COVID19 positive cases in Tamil Nadu today including 48 from Tablighi Jamaat; Total positive cases in the state is 621 including 570 Tablighi Jamaat returnees," Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Beela Rajesh said.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Beela Rajesh said a 57-year-old women died at the government hospital here. Her contacts are being traced.
As for people who attended a Tablighi Jamaat meet in Delhi in mid-March, she said 1,475 persons were tested, of which around 570 tested positive.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister K. Palanswami said orders have been placed for 1 lakh rapid testing kits from China to hasten the testing process. He said Rs 500 crore financial assistance has been received from the central government in this regard.
Palaniswami said permission has been sought from the central government to set up 21 more coronavirus sample testing centres. Currently, the state has 17 centres -- 11 government and six in private sector.
According to him, the rapid test kits are expected to reach the state on April 8 and will be put to use from the next day onwards.
Stressing that isolation is the only solution to check coronavirus spread, he said the hospitals in Tamil Nadu have 3,371 ventilators.
He said about 2.10 lakh passengers have been screened at the airports in the state.
According to Palaniswami, the government is planning to introduce mobile vegetable shops in Chennai.
A total of 94,873 cases were registered for violation of prohibitory orders and 94,152 persons arrested and let out on bail.
The Chief Minister said based on the impact of coronavirus in the state a decision on holding the 10th standard exams will be taken.
(With Inputs from IANS)
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