Chennai, April 20 (BPNS)
The Tamil Nadu health department has on Wednesday directed the district collectors to ensure that Covid -19 appropriate behaviour is followed in the state.
In a circular, Tamil Nadu health secretary, J. Radhakrishnan said that the number of fresh Covid cases in the state has marginally increased from less than 25 to 30 on Tuesday. He pointed out that the rise in fresh Covid -19 cases in Delhi where it stood at 632 from 82 on April 4 is of concern.
Dr Radhakrishnan in the circular said that the Test Positivity Rate in Delhi is 5 per cent from less than 1 per cent a few days ago and that things should not be taken in a light manner.
In the circular, the Tamil Nadu health secretary said that the neighbouring states of Delhi like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana also had registered a higher number of cases. The state health secretary pointed out that Maharashtra has also seen a slight rise in Covid -19 fresh cases.
Dr Radhakrishnan in the circular said, “ At a stage where we should aim at virus suppression it is noted that isolated cases are still getting reported and we need to keep monitoring the trajectory of cases and also test positivity rate at district and sub-district levels.”
The Tamil Nadu state health secretary also directed the district collectors to refocus on mask-wearing in public places, hospitals and crowded places.
He said that internationally 7.45 lakh Omicron cases were registered in the week ending April 18. The health secretary also said that about 40 lakh people in Tamil Nadu are yet to take their first dose of the Covid -19 vaccine and 1.37 crore have yet to take the second dose of vaccine. The circular mentioned that special focus must be given to the elderly and those with comorbid.
The health secretary directed the district collectors and district medical officers to follow up and ensure that those who are eligible for the booster dose vaccine have taken it.
Tamil Nadu health minister, Ma Subramanian while speaking to BPNS said, “ There is a slight increase in Covid -19 cases and the health department have taken extra precaution and directed all the district collectors to ensure that people are following Covid appropriate behaviour. The government is not willing to take any chances and the district collectors and district medical officers have been directed to closely monitor the situation at the local level.”
