Chennai: Active cases of Covid-19 rose by 15 times since May 24

CHENNAI: A total of 165 streets in Chennai have more than three Covid-19 positive cases and of them, 30 streets have more than six positive cases. Overall, 1,500 streets have positive cases.
Health minister Ma Subramanian said nearly 92% of the patients are in home-isolation and those admitted in the hospitals too are only having cold, cough, fever and mild infection.“None of the admitted patients require ICU treatment or oxygen support,” he said.

The minister said that the Omicron BA4 and BA5 variants are spreading faster and if one person from a family is affected, immediately the others get the infection too. “Thus the family members must take safe precautions and wearing masks is important. People must come forward to take the remaining vaccine doses too,” he said.
From just 188 active cases on May 24, the city as of June 24 has 2,790 active cases showing nearly a 15-time increase. Cores such as Kodambakkam saw a 26 times rise in cases, followed by the highest of 111 times increase in Valasaravakkam from 2 active cases to 222 during the period.
The Greater Chennai Corporation, meanwhile, is doing contract tracing of close and extended family members. “Every day, about 6000 contacts are being traced and samples are being taken,” city corporation commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi said.
The official said 411 private hospitals, 72 scan centres are reporting fever cases and swab samples are taken for them. “The symptoms last only for two to three days,” he added. He added that the rise in covid cases are mostly due to travel to other states and countries, attending public gatherings, market places and workplaces. “We are promoting mask and isolation of patients with symptoms irrespective of covid results.”
Meanwhile, in an internal meeting, the corporation has said Tiruvottriyur and Tiruvika Nagar zones have traced lesser contacts and need to improve. Private hospitals in Royapuram, Tirvuika Nagar, Alandur have reported less number of fever cases as well.
“Ten contacts per positive patient must be tested. Zonal officers must ensure all the positive cases are being contacted daily,” the communication stated.
Officials said that nearly 12 lakh people are yet to get their second dose of vaccination in the city and it needs to be ramped up. “We have asked health officials to do door to door vaccination and increase awareness in the 60 plus group for the third dose,” the official said.
Schools and colleges have been asked to cover 100% vaccination.