COVID-19: Tamil Nadu Set to Breach Two Lakh Mark, Cases Continue to Rise in Chennai

The number of COVID-19 cases from Chennai has seen a marginal increase. However, massive spikes have been reported from other parts of the state. Cases recorded in a single day in Tamil Nadu breached the 6,000 mark for the first time, with 6,472 cases recorded on July 23. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the state is at 1,92,964.

The number of cases in Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur have crossed the 10,000 mark. As cases of COVID-19 continue to mount in other districts, doctors deputed to Chennai’s hospitals have been asked to return to their place of work.

Two more MLAs from the state have tested positive, taking the total number of lawmakers infected in the state to 19, including four ministers. Eighty-four member of staff of the Raj Bhavan have also contracted the infection.

Cases Surge Across the State

The number of COVID-19 cases continued to rise across the state, with 36,595 cases recorded in the week ending on July 23. The previous week accounted for 29,788 cases. Testing has been ramped up, with 62,112 samples tested on July 23. Even though the number of tests has increased, the tracking of primary and secondary contacts remains a cause of concern.

The past week saw more than 4,500 COVID-19 cases on all days, with the tally reaching 5,849 cases on July 22 and 6,472 cases on July 23.

The total number of deaths due to the virus was 552 in the past week, as compared to 444 casualties in the week prior. A total of 88 deaths were reported on July 18 and 22, the highest number of single-day casualties so far. The number of those discharged increased to 1,36,793, leaving active cases at 52,939.

Five more MLAs, four from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and one from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) tested positive this week. Four family members of health secretary Dr J. Radhakrishnan had tested positive, with him having isolated himself after testing negative for the virus.

Eighty-four members of staff of the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan tested positive for COVID-19 – none of them come in contact with the Governor.

444 Deaths Added to Chennai’s Tally

There has been a marginal increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) region. The week ending on July 23 accounted for 8,651 cases against the previous week’s tally of 8,224 cases. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the city rose to 90,900, with 15% of those active and 83% recovering from the infection.

The total lockdown imposed in the city was credited for the dip in cases during the previous two weeks. An increase in the number of cases may point towards a possible surge in the coming weeks.

The 444 deaths which were left out of the COVID-19 tally have been added after the recommendation of the reconciliation committee. The total number of casualties in the GCC region is at 1,947 with a 2.14% mortality rate. The state’s death toll also increased to 3,232 as a result.

Infections among police personnel increased to 1,616, of which 1,188 have recovered and reported back to duty.

Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur Record 10,000 Cases

Neighbouring districts of Chennai, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur, recorded more than 10,000 cases in the past week, followed by Madurai with 8,984 cases. Kancheepuram district completes the top five with 6,010 COVID-19 cases.

Districts other than Chennai accounted for 27,944 cases in the one-week period, as compared to 21,564 cases in the previous week.

More than half of the districts have been reporting at least 100 COVID-19 cases on a daily basis. This spike has forced doctors deputed in Chennai to report back to their districts.

Two members of the Central Bureau of Investigation team who were enquiring about the custodial killing of the father-son duo in Sathankulam have tested positive. A sub inspector of police from Madurai succumbed to the viral infection.

The lack of facilities in quarantine centres and government and private medical colleges came to the fore once again. Patients of a private medical college in Kancheepuram hit the streets demanding basic amenities.

A video of monkeys playing around in disposed medical kits used by doctors has been doing the rounds, exposing the apathy in disposing medical waste.

Cancellation of Semester Examinations

The government of Tamil Nadu announced the cancellation of end-semester examinations for college students. However, final semester students have to appear for their exams, with the mode of conduct of examinations having not been announced yet. The education department is reportedly mulling on conducting the examinations online.

Meanwhile, the minister for school education announced the commencement of televised classes from August 1. The government also published results for higher secondary students and announced the admission process for engineering, arts and science colleges through a single-window system.