Kancheepuram man back from Muscat tests positive for COVID-19

The man, reportedly employed in Oman, returned to Chennai on February 28 and was admitted to Stanley Medical College and Hospital on March 1 after he showed symptoms of fever and cough.

He was taken to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) on March 4 on suspicions of nCoronavirus and was admitted to the isolation ward. His samples were sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune for testing which revealed that he had COVID-19. “The patient was already home quarantined as he had travel history to Oman. He is stable and under observation,” Health Secretary Beela Rajesh told DT Next. Senior officials from the Directorate of Public Health said samples were taken as his symptoms were suspicious. “His family is also under home quarantine,” public health director Dr K Kolandaisamy said.

There are about 1,200 people in Tamil Nadu who are under home quarantine across the State and more than a lakh people have been screened at Chennai, Tiruchy, Coimbatore and Madurai airports. As per State Health Department officials, all passengers from China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia are being screened at airports.

Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar clarified that the Health Department is fully functional and capable to combat the situation and public should not panic.