Covid-19 threat: State breathes easy for now

With the number of coronavirus cases in India shooting up to 28, the senior officials from the State Health department have clarified that there are no suspected cases of the infection so far in Tamil Nadu.

The State Health department has urged the public to adhere to health advisories issued by the State government and use masks or handkerchief while sneezing or coughing and follow frequent washing of hands with soap and water.

 The officials from the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine said that Covid-19 has affected more than 73 countries and after it was declared as the Public Health Emergency of International Concern, Tamil Nadu Health department has strengthened the surveillance and control measures against the disease, as per the national guidelines.

 Of a total of 54 passengers, who were quarantined after they reported ill and complained of Covid-19 symptoms till now, samples of 51 passengers have tested negative, while three samples are being processed. While tests on 50 samples were conducted at the King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Guindy, four of them were sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune.

 “The reports have confirmed that there are no suspected cases of the deadly disease in the State so far,” said Public Health Director Dr K Kolandaisamy, adding that “the hospitals are well prepared to handle any situation with healthcare staff and isolation wards in place”.

 All passengers from China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Iran and Italy are being screened through thermal screening at the airports in the State. A total of 96,729 passengers have been screened at the airports of Chennai, Trichy, Madurai and Coimbatore till date.

 As of now, there are 1,292 passengers under house quarantine, and five passengers under hospital quarantine. The health status of the passengers, now under observation at home and hospital, is stable.

 As per the advisory, the public are advised to refrain from travelling to Republic of Korea, Italy, Iran and China. All those who have arrived in the State with a travel history to China should remain under strict house quarantine or hospital isolation for 28 days from the date of arrival in India.