Days after second COVID death, TN opens exclusive ward

CHENNAI: With Tamil Nadu recording a second COVID-19 death, the State government opened an exclusive ward at Government Royapettah Hospital to treat pandemic cases, on Monday.

A 25-year-old male COVID patient with bronchial asthma and severe acute tubular injury (a kidney condition) died in Salem, taking the State's death toll to two. Currently, 189 patients are on the active list while 27 have been discharged.

Speaking to the media here on Monday, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said, “Even though the virus is spreading across the country and the world, there is no need for panic, as the infection is mild.”

An exclusive ward was opened at the Royapettah in GH, and new wards would be set up if the situation arises, he added.

Noting that the State Public Health Department has urged the people to take precautions and follow COVID guidelines, including washing hands and maintaining social distance Subramanian said, “Patients with conditions like heart diseases, and other vulnerable groups, are advised to wear masks in public spaces."

When asked if any COVID-related restrictions had been brought in for schools, he reiterated that the Union Health Ministry has already clarified that the current wave was not serious and does not warrant major restrictions.

Between May 5 and 12, Tamil Nadu was the State with the highest number of COVID cases in the country, accounting for 32 of the total of 93 cases. But since then, the number of cases in the country zoomed to nearly 4,000 cases.

The total number of active cases in the country stood at 3,961, including 203 cases that were reported on Monday. According to the Union Health Ministry, four deaths were recorded in a day in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi, and Maharashtra.

Among the states, Kerala recorded the highest number of active cases with 1,435 cases, followed by Maharashtra with 506 cases, Delhi with 483, and Gujarat with 338 cases.