Tamil Nadu has reported 17 news positive cases of coronavirus on Monday taking the state toll of confirmed COVID-19 patients to 67, informed Tamil Nadu Health Department. Among 17 new COVID-19 cases, 10 of them have surfaced from Erode, chief minister Palaniswami said. He added that additional personal protective equipment like N-95 masks for the health personnel have been ordered. Meanwhile, amid the nation-wide lockdown due to the outbreak of the deadly virus, thousands of migrant workers are now stranded in Tamil Nadu. However, the government is taking care of their food and shelter and even medical help.
Informing about government preparedness, Tamil Nadu chief minister Palaniswami said that the state has ordered for 1.5 crore masks and 25,000 N-95 masks. Questioned about low number of people being tested for the coronavirus infection Palaniswami said diagnostic tests can be done only on those who were showing symptoms of infection. He also urged people to cooperate with the government in the prevention of the virus spread by maintaining the necessary social distance.
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According to Palaniswami, the government was looking at distributing the essential items through public distribution system and also the Rs 1,000 financial assistance announced earlier. Not agreeing with the demand of opposition parties to call for an all-party meeting, Palaniswami said this issue was a medical matter. He said the state government will pay the cost of providing shelter, food to other state governments where workers from Tamil Nadu were held up due to the lockdown.
Palaniswami said Tamil Nadu government was taking care of the workers who have come from other states to work here. He said there were about 1.49 lakh workers in Tamil Nadu from other states.
(With inputs from IANS)
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