TN spike continues, 776 cases, 7 deaths recorded

CHENNAI: In yet another spike, Tamil Nadu recorded 776 corona positive cases and seven deaths on Thursday. Of the total tally, 567 have been recorded in Chennai.

A total 87 passengers who returned from other countries and States have the infection, 25 passengers including eight international passengers who had initially tested negative, turned positive during exit screening after seven days. So far, 38 passengers from other States and countries have tested positive in the consecutive test done after seven days.

Health minister C Vijaya Baskar said passengers testing positive on exit screening was a challenging feat for healthcare officials. He said those testing negative and not showing symptoms were also testing positive when screened again before being sent home.

The State also witnessed a spike in the deaths as seven succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours in Chennai. While four deaths were reported from private hospitals, one death each was reported in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Stanley Medical College and Hospital and Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. All the deceased had underlying comorbid conditions and later succumbed. Among districts, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram reported 42 cases, 34 cases and 13 cases respectively. Tenkasi and Thoothukudi recorded five cases each, while Villupuram and Ranipet had four cases each. Theni and Tiruvannamalai reported three cases each, while Madurai had two cases. Dindigul, Kallakurichi, Thanjavur, Karur, Sivaganga, Thirupathur and Vellore reported one case each.

TN has 7,588 active cases of COVID-19, out of the total 13,967 cases in TN. A total 12,100 persons across the State were tested for COVID-19 in past 24 hours and 400 were discharged.

Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar said passengers testing positive during exit screening was a challenging feat for health officials