Sample testing for COVID increased, people need not panic: Radhakrishnan

CHENNAI: Following the surge in COVID cases in Tamil Nadu, testing has increased in the city and there is no serious hospitalization due to the new variant, Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) commissioner J Radhakrishnan said on Monday. People do not need to panic about the situation and follow government instructions. The Commissioner visited the special monsoon medical camp in Royapuram area.

“Medical camps were organized since June to prevent monsoon-related diseases including dengue, malaria, skin infections and leptospirosis. At least 9,969 camps were organized, out of which 5.64 million people have benefited. Cases of communicable diseases are under control. Similarly, Radhakrishnan said, “Due to the rise of the new COVID variant JN.1 across the country, the state health department has directed us to increase testing for symptomatic patients.”

On Sunday, Chennai reported 14 cases and 66 active cases. People were advised to maintain social distancing, special care should be given to people with co-occurring conditions and pregnant women.

The commissioner further said that no cluster cases have been identified in the city so far, and the active COVID cases are mild and there is no severity among the patients.

Following the recent monsoon, both the bus route roads and internal roads have been damaged. The Municipal Corporation does patch work on 40 percent of the roads.

“More than 5,000 roads are yet to be completed, and they have been directed to prioritize area-wise patch work in the city. Additionally, over 1.38 lakh metric tonnes of regular and garden waste was collected from December 6 to December 23 following the cyclone. has been collected. Michong created chaos in the city,” Radhakrishnan said.