With 54 more persons testing positive for coronavirus on Thursday, the number of COVID-19 patients in Tamil Nadu increased to 1683. The day saw 90 coronavirus patients getting cured and discharged from various hospitals in the State. This was announced by the Department of Health through a press release by Thursday evening. Taken aback by the hike in the number of persons testing positive for coronavirus, the Government has done away with its daily press briefing since Tuesday.
In a major development the Greater Chennai City Police ordered the closure of Anna Salai (Mount Road), the city’s main thoroughfare from Thursday morning. Though the police may allow private vehicles like cars and bikes for a few hours in the morning, the road would remain out of bound for all vehicles from 1 pm onwards.
This is the first time in the history of modern Chennai the Mount Road which connects the city to airport and the Central and Egmore Railway Stations would remain close down for traffic.
Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami launched Arogyam scheme on Thursday by distributing “Nilavembu Kudineer”, a traditional and indigenous medicine to check the spread of coronavirus. More than hundred policemen and policewomen whom the chief minister described as the frontline warriors of the society were fortunate to receive the concoction from the hands of the chief minister at a simple function held at Fort Saint George (secretariat).
Palaniswami also announced that the kin of frontline personnel who die of infection fighting the coronavirus would be paid Rs 50 lakh. “A government job will also be given to a family member based on educational qualification. This will apply to personnel from all departments including health, police and local administration and also cleanliness workers,” said the Chief Minister.