Press "Enter" to skip to content

Chennai records second coronavirus case: Patient had come from Delhi

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Vijayabaskar tweeted that the patient is currently under isolation and is stable.

Chennai recorded its second coronavirus case on Wednesday. This was confirmed by Tamil Nadu Health Minister C Vijayabaskar on Twitter. The patient is from Delhi and is under isolation at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai. Minister of Health and Family Welfare C Vijayabaskar tweeted that the patient is currently under isolation and is stable.

#Coronaupdate: #RGGH, Chennai reports the 2nd positive case for #Covid19. The Pt hails from Delhi, is in isolation & stable is under the observation of the expert team treating #Covid19. #TNHealth @MoHFW_INDIA #Vijayabaskar

— Dr C Vijayabaskar (@Vijayabaskarofl) March 18, 2020

All those who were in contact with the patient are currently under home quarantine. More details are expected to be shared by the Minister, shortly, during his press meet.

Earlier in the day, the Health Minister announced that the state currently has four isolation centres – Poonamallee in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Trichy. According to reports, as of Tuesday, there were 40 of them in these quarantine centres. 

Dr C Vijayabaskar, the Tamil Nadu Health minister told reporters on Wednesday that in addition to the state’s focus on imported cases from abroad, surveillance on people crossing state borders has also been beefed up. The Minister also reiterated that people should avoid travelling, to avoid the risk of spreading coronavirus.

On Tuesday, the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital discharged Tamil Nadu’s first coronavirus patient. The 45-year-old man, who had arrived from Muscat in Oman, was admitted in hospital after his test samples were confirmed positive on March 7.

The 45-year-old man was discharged from hospital after two consecutive samples taken from him in 24 hour intervals had tested negative. The health status of his relatives and friends who are under quarantine continues to be stable, as per a daily bulletin issued by the department of health and family welfare, Tamil Nadu.

All the people who came in close contact with the patient, however, will complete their 28-day quarantine period, according to Dr Kolandasamy, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

The Tamil Nadu government had on Monday stated that it would carry out tests on all those who had travel history and displayed coronavirus symptoms – cough, fever and breathing difficulty. The announcement came after allegations that health officials in the state were refusing to test those who had travel history and mild symptoms. 

Source: The News Minute