Sudden spike: TN records 543 new cases, 5 deaths

The number of cases of COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu witnessed a sudden surge on Friday. As many as 543 new cases, including five imported cases from other states and countries, were reported. On Thursday, 477 people had tested positive for the infection.

Chennai and its neighbouring districts also reported a spike in the cases with the city reporting 225 fresh cases. Coimbatore reported a total of 51 cases, Chengalpattu 46 cases and Tiruvallur 33 new cases.

With Friday’s tally, the total number of cases in the State touched 53,992. Health secretary J Radhakrishnan pointed out several clusters emerging in Chennai and neighbouring districts due to violations in public places and gatherings. “Despite imposing fines on people, who are violating the safety norms, clusters in families and communities have increased. With the vaccinations underway, safety measures have taken a back seat, “he said.

On Friday, five more deaths were reported, including two in private hospitals and three others in government hospitals, taking the toll to 12,513. The Health Secretary stated that considering the surge in cases, there would be an increase in testing in the districts.

The number of active cases has been increasing in Chennai, with the core city zones accounting for most of them. The city reported 189 new cases on Thursday, which shot up to 225 on Friday.

According to Corporation data, there were 1,802 active cases as on Friday morning, up from 1,623 on February 20. Kodambakkam (222) and Teynampet (184) zones had the highest number of active cases, followed by Anna Nagar (180), another core city zone.

Officials attributed the higher number of active cases in central region to population density, noting that all the zones contain predominantly residential areas.

Manali (14) and Tiruvottiyur (31) have the lowest number of active cases. Tondiarpet, the zone in north Chennai that was one of the COVID-19 hotspots in the initial days, has less than one per cent active cases (68).

While none of the north Chennai zones except Royapuram has more than 100 active cases, it is more than that mark at all the five zones in central Chennai region. Valasaravakkam, Perungudi and Adyar in south Chennai region also have more than 100 active cases.