Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, on Monday, held a meeting with senior government officials and ministers about the increase in COVID-19 infection in the state and the possible ways to contain its spread. After the meeting, the Chief Minister’s office issued a statement that listed a few measures and requests from the government to the people of Tamil Nadu.
In the statement, the Chief Minister said that officials have been instructed to conduct RT-PCR tests on at least 90,000 samples per day in Tamil Nadu, and tighten the tracing and testing protocol if someone is tested positive for the coronavirus. The Chief Minister also urged all those who are eligible to get themselves vaccinated soon. Adding that people should come out of their houses only if it is essential, the release also stated that whoever ventures out shall wear a mask without fail and maintain adequate physical distance from each other.
In Monday’s meeting, it is speculated that the Chief Minister discussed the possibility of imposing a night curfew, if these containment and precautionary measures don’t work out in controlling the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state. Earlier, reports also stated that the meeting would see discussions about the class 12 board exams that are scheduled to begin on May 3. The practical exams for class 12 students in Tamil Nadu are scheduled to begin on April 16. However, with cases increasing across the state, several teachers and parents have expressed reservations in sending their children to schools to take the exams.
On Monday, 6,711 persons tested positive for coronavirus in Tamil Nadu, and the state reported 19 deaths due to the virus. The total number of active cases of coronavirus in the state stood at 46,308 as of Monday. Tamil Nadu tested 82,982 samples on Monday. Of the 6,711 new cases, Chennai accounted for 2,105 cases and Chengalpattu accounted for 611. Coimbatore reported 604 new cases on Monday.