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Tamil Nadu’s count of COVID-19 cases exceeded the 6,000 mark, as 600 people tested positive for the disease on Friday. Chennai registered 399 new cases. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state now stands at 6,009 *. Chennai’s count rises to 3,043.
Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar said the increase in positive cases was not cause for panic, as it was the result of “aggressive tests”. He added that three people died due to COVID-19 in the State: two in Chennai and one in Tirunelveli.
A 78-year-old man from Tambaram, admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) on April 30, died at 9 p.m. May 7. He had comorbid conditions. The second patient, a 56-year-old man from Chennai, entered RGGGH on May 6 and died at 11.50 p.m. May 7. A resident of Tirunelveli, 83, who suffered from concomitant diseases and was very ill, entered the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital on May 6 and died at 2.30 a.m. May 7.
The Minister said that the state mortality rate was 0.68%. As of Friday, the State has reported a total of 40 deaths due to COVID-19. New cases were reported in 18 districts. In addition to Chennai, Tiruvallur had 75 new cases, Cuddalore had 34 cases, and Chengalpattu 26 cases.
There were 21 cases in Villupuram, 11 in Tiruvannamalai, eight in Kancheepuram and Kanniyakumari, four in Tirunelveli, three in Virudhunagar, two in Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, and Madurai, and one in Ramanathapuram, Tenkasi, Theni, Tirupattur, and Tiruchi.
Another 30 children ages 0-12 tested positive in the state. A total of 58 patients were discharged, bringing the number of patients discharged from the state to 1,605.
“Today alone, we have tested 13,980 samples. So far, we have tested 2,16,416 samples through RT-PCR. This is the highest test number in the country. A larger state like Maharashtra, which has more cases, has analyzed 2,02,105 samples as of Friday morning, “said the minister. The reason for further testing was because the state had the largest number of test facilities in the country: 36 in the government and 16 in the private sector, he added.
“We are evaluating people with severe acute respiratory infection and even those with the common cold / cough. We are testing contacts of positive patients and also pregnant women five days before the expected due date, “he said.
The State was providing comprehensive treatment for patients: symptomatic treatment, Indian medicine system and prescribed diet, he said, adding: “The Union Minister of Health held a video conference meeting to analyze the situation in the State. Appreciated certain best practices at T.N. such as a good public health system, low mortality rate, increased testing, and online data load. He said he would take this to other states. “
Explaining home monitoring of COVID-19 patients, he said in hospitals, 80% of patients were asymptomatic. About two to three percent had symptoms of cough, fever, and dyspnea. “According to the guidelines of the Center, asymptomatic patients can stay at home as long as they have a separate room. Therefore, those who do not have symptoms, do not have comorbidities but have tested positive for COVID-19 can stay at home according to medical advice from the doctor, if necessary, a chest x-ray will be taken, “he said.
He added that the government would determine if the person has adequate facilities for home monitoring, such as a separate room with an attached bathroom and space to maintain physical distance. The government would provide a kit for patients in isolation at home. It would contain information on what should and should not be done for patients and their caregivers, diet chart, masks, zinc and vitamin tablets, kabasura kudineer and nilavembu kudineer, soap and hand sanitizer, said the minister.
He added that the government had increased bed resistance in hospitals to 29,000 and had allocated funds to further increase capacity. “We will continue to increase the strength of the bed, which is adequate from now on,” he said.
He emphasized the need to protect vulnerable sections, such as the elderly, people with hypertension, diabetes, people on dialysis, cancer patients and tuberculosis patients, and those with immunocompromised conditions. He called for community participation.
(*This includes two deaths reported cross-over to other states and one patient who died after testing negative)
