IIT-M COVID Cluster: Cases Rise To 55, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Says Situation 'Under Control'

The number of new COVID-19 cases at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, here, climbed to 55 as 25 more people tested positive.

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan on Saturday said that the COVID-19 situation is "under control" even as the number of cases at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras climbed to 55 with 25 more people testing positive.

The state health secretary visited the state vaccination centre on Saturday and said that the cases were mild infections, news agency ANI reported.

He also reiterated his earlier comments that the XE variant was not detected in Tamil Nadu.

"So far, out of 1,420 people, 55 individuals have been isolated. All of them are very stable and very mild cases of COVID-19," Radhakrishnan said.

He emphasised that the administration is effectively utilising the already available isolation facility of the campus.

On the state's masks mandate, he pointed out that "Tamil Nadu never withdrew the mandate on masks. Only the levying of the fine was slowed down, which we have reiterated."

The Tamil Nadu Health Secretary stressed that people need to continue exercising caution even as 93 per cent of the population have been administered with COVID vaccine's first dose and 77 per cent have been jabbed with the second dose.

"The ones who are eligible for booster dose must get it administered. So, we are launching a special drive that will be monitored by the Chief Minister MK Stalin himself," he added, as quoted by ANI. 

As per the Health Secretary, the state has adequately strengthened its medical infrastructure.

"Recently, under the Emergency Covid Response Package too, we have added 2,099 very high-class ICU beds, and are adequately prepared and experienced; so there is no need to panic," he said. 

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and laxity among people in following the health protocol, the Tamil Nadu government on Friday re-introduced the penalty of Rs 500 against those who are found not wearing masks in public places.

Tamil Nadu on Saturday reported 53 fresh infections, pushing the caseload to 34,53,500.

However, the toll remained unchanged at 38,025 with nil fatalities being reported in the last 24 hours.

Recoveries grew to 34,15,165 with 29 people getting discharged in the last 24 hours, leaving 310 active infections.

(With Agency Inputs)