TN virus cases nearing 1.5 million mark
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu’s count of COVID-19 cases is nearing 1.5 million, as daily cases keep on mounting in spite of a tough lockdown imposed on Monday.
The state saw 29,272 new cases in the past 24 hours, which raised the total to 14,38,509.
Chennai registered 7,466 cases. The total in the metropolis has touched 4,04,733.
Among neighbouring districts, Chengalpatu reg-istered 2,419 new cases, Kancheepuram 664, and Thiruvallur 1,204. Coimbatore added 2,650 to its caseload, and Cuddalore 434 and.
Another 298 patients died on Tuesday, the high-est on a single day, taking the total number of
fatalities in the State due to the pandemic to 16,178.
Also on Wednesday, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that Rs2.5 million will be paid to the families of each of the 43 doctors who lost their lives while treating coronavirus patients.
Stalin said, “Doctors, nurses and other medical staffs have been batling against Covid for the past one year.
“A few doctors who were working on the field have lost their lives. This government understands that their loss cannot be compensated, however as a small gesture Rs2.5 million each will be given to the family members of the 43 doctors.”
He also pointed out that doctors, nurses, conservancy workers, lab assistants, CT scan technicians, ambulance drivers and other medical staff have also be working day and night in the fight against corona.
“To appreciate their work, the government has decided to give them a bonus.
“According to this doctors will get Rs30,000, nurses Rs20,000 and other medical staff will get Rs15,000 for the second wave period of three months from April to June.”
The Indian Medical Association had issued an official statement that 43 doctors had died in Tamil Nadu treating Covid-19 patients. However, the previous government led by the Anna DMK had dismissed that count.
Officials said on Wednesday that the government is procuring oxygen concentrators from countries such as Singapore and China.
In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation will set up 100-bed centres in three regions to admit patients who re-quire oxygen support. Patients who have oxygen saturation levels of 90-92 and need oxygen sup-port will be admited there.
Chennai is also expected to receive 3,500 oxygen concentrators.