The number of coronavirus cases tested positive in Tamil Nadu reached 1,821 with 66 persons testing positive for covid-19 all over the State on Saturday. This was disclosed by Dr C Vijaya Baskar, Tamil Nadu Minister for Health during a media briefing on Saturday.
The Minister said though the number of coronavirus cases showed an upward march, there were some encouraging information from the field. “Saturday saw the discharge of 94 persons who had been admitted to various hospitals in the State and who were cured of the pandemic. Till date 960 persons who have been admitted to various hospitals in the State have been cured completely and discharged,” said the Minister.
He said Tamil Nadu topped the table of States with good recovery rate. “ As on Saturday, the recovery rate in Tamil Nadu is 52 per cent and we are leading the table,” he said.
With the passing away of a 34-year-old man in a Chennai hospital, 23 persons have died in Tamil Nadu since the outbreak of the pandemic, the minister said.
The next four days will see all major cities in the State observing total lockdown as per the order issued by the State Government.
The lockdown order has been issued following the recommendation by the expert committee appointed by the chief minister to study the pattern of spread of the coronavirus and with an eye to prevent community transmission.
The Government has ordered that Amma Restaurants, a concept eatery launched by the former chief minister late J Jayalalithaa would function till May 3 despite the lockdown orders and serve free food to all workers and laborers who have been thrown out of work.