COVID-19: TN CM says only God knows when this ends; Cases Cross 70,000 in the State

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, said that only God knows when the novel coronavirus infection will end, while addressing a press conference on Saturday, June 20. With the number of COVID-19 cases in the state continuing to rise, the statement came as a shock to the public. The state government, which claimed to have contained the spread of the infection in March, now seems to have accepted defeat.

The novel coronavirus has affected children below 12 years of age, members of naval staff, doctors, police officials, people’s representatives and health workers; exposing the lack of effective preventive measures.

The CM also blamed the primary opposition party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), for instructing party cadres to distribute relief, citing it as the reason for the spread of COVID-19. However, the CM himself has been seen in public gatherings where physical distancing has not been maintained. Another DMK MLA has tested positive, while K. P. Anbalagan, the Minister for Higher Education, continues to be treated in a private hospital.

Cases Mount Outside Chennai

The number of COVID-19 cases in the state as of now is 70,977, with an increase of 18,643 cases in the last seven days. The week beginning June 19 recorded more than 2,000 cases on a daily basis, with a new single-day high of 3,509 cases on June 25. The total number of cases increased by 18,643 in the same period, while the number during the previous seven days was 10,424.

The number of deaths in the state due to COVID-19 increased by 286 after June 19, taking the total number of casualties to 911. The number of tests being conducted has considerably increased, while the demand for more tests from other parts of the state has also increased.

The number of cases in other parts of the state, excluding Chennai, has seen a steady increase, with an increasing number of people returning to their home towns. The number of cases in districts except Chennai, has seen an increase of 8,219 over the last week, as compared to 4,417 cases in the same period previously.

With Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and Thiruvallur under lockdown, the districts of Madurai and Theni have also imposed lockdowns.

Recoveries Increase as Chennai Registers over 47,000 Cases

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) continues to register the majority of COVID-19 cases, with the total number at 47,650. The tally rose by 10,424 cases over the past week, a small spike as compared to the 9,201 cases in the week before. More than 1,200 cases have been reported in the last seven consecutive days, with a maximum of 1,834 cases reported on June 25.

The only solace for GCC officials is the steady increase in the number of discharged patients. The corporation has discharged 59.03% of the infected persons, while the total active cases are at 39.50%. The mortality rate has also increased to 1.47%. The total number of deaths in the GCC are 694 out of the 911 casualties in the state. The city has accounted for 76% of the total number of deaths, and 67% of the total COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu.

Five out of the GCC’s 15 zones have reported more than 5,000 cases. The biggest relief is the increase in the number of discharged patients. The increasing number of cases in the city has resulted in the overcrowding of government hospitals, forcing patients to seek admission to private hospitals.

IIT(M) and Anna University to be COVID Facilities

The hostels of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT(M)), and buildings of Anna University in Chennai, have been converted into quarantine facilities. Students of IIT(M) have been asked to vacate the hostels within two to three days. With the city under lockdown, the students have nowhere to go and are opposed to the move by the administration.

There was a tussle between the Anna University and the GCC after the latter demanded that the hostels be converted into quarantine facilities. The university administration and the hostel students objected to the move, citing the presence of certificates and students’ property. The issue was diffused after the university buildings were converted into quarantine facilities.

‘Siddha Medication Promoted without Trials’

With the CM looking for escape routes to evade responsibility, the government has now has turned to traditional medication for the public. The government has opened a Siddha based facility in Vyasarpadi in Chennai. The government has been promoting the distribution of Kabasura Kudineer, despite denying the same in the Madras High Court.

Dr S. Krishnaswamy, treasurer of All India People’s Science Network (AIPSN) said: “The traditional medications promoted by the government of Tamil Nadu are not clinically proven. It gives a false sense of comfort to the public. People will believe that they are safe after taking Kabasura Kudineer and stay away from wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing. Without random clinical trials, the government should stay away from promoting such medicines.”

Children and Members of Naval Staff Affected

The number of children below the age of 12, who have contracted the infection, has increased steadily. The total number of infections in the age group was 3,481 till June 25. The number of positive cases in this age-group increased by 2,159 in the month of June – most of the young were asymptomatic.

Twenty-nine members of staff of the Indian Naval Service (INS) Parundu in Mandapam tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 102 personnel from other states arrived at the naval air station to resume work. They were all tested and quarantined.

Two more judges of the Madras High Court have tested positive in the last few days. A joint commissioner of police and an inspector of police in Chennai city have also tested positive.

A 22-year-old ambulance attendant succumbed to the infection in Tiruppur district. Six inmates who had returned from Puzhal prison, and two staff members of the Cuddalore prison also tested positive this week. Three patients have reportedly committed suicide due to depression in hospitals.