Chennai, May 31 (UNI) Allaying fears of spike in COVID cases, Tamil Nadu

Health Minister Ma Subramanian appealed to the people not to panic as the

variants were of less intensity.

Talking to reporters after attending an event, he said the number of cases was

very low this year.

A total of 148 cases were reported in Tamil Nadu as of yesterday and it went

up to 185 with 37 fresh cases emerging today, according to the statistics released

by the Union Ministry of Health and Family welfare.

Stating that the State Health Ministry was monitoring the situation round the clock

and on a daily basis, Mr Subramanian said the spread of the viral disease is low

this year, and there are no serious infections.

All medical college hospitals in the State have been instructed to keep necessary

medical facilities, manpower, medicines, and testing capacity ready as a precautionary

measure, he said.

A total of 99,425 beds have been kept ready across Tamil Nadu for the treatment of

COVID patients.

Though wearing of masks were not made mandatory, he appealed to the people to

take all precautions and wear face masks while moving in crowded areas and maintain

social distancing, besides following the SOPs like regular hand washing.

He said those with symptoms of cough, cold, fever and respiratory problems, were

advised to consult the doctors and wear face masks to prevent any possible spread.

The Minister assured that the government was taking all necessary steps and there

was absolutely no need to panic as only JN1, XEC variants were reported and no

new variants has spread in the State.

Stating that 91,583 cases were registered globally till date, Mr Subramanian said

1,800 cases were reported in India and in Tamil Nadu 293 cases in May of which

148 were active cases and were being monitored.

Pointing out that the spread of COVID in the society this year was very less, he said

no serious symptoms were noticed among those infected.

Noting that one person affected by COVID had died due to co-morbidities in the State

this year, the Minister said of the total cases reported in April, a total of 29 samples were

sent to recognised labs in the state of which 19 were referred to the National Institute of

Virology in Pune which confirmed that SARS Cov-2 variants like JN1, LF.7, NB.1.8.1,

MV.1 AND BA.3 were found to the reason for the spread and they were of very less

intensity.

"No new variants were reported", he added.

Meanwhile, in view of the increase in cases, the Directorate of Public Health has

issued a communique to all the district authorities and municipal authorities to step

up disease surveillance and implement proactive measures to ensure early detection,

reporting, and response to cases of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute

Respiratory Infections (SARI).

It said District Surveillance Units should ensure consistent daily monitoring and

reporting of ILI and SARI cases from all healthcare facilities in their jurisdictions.

They should report any unusual clustering of cases, without delay, to the State

Surveillance Unit to enable timely public health response. Once clusters are

identified, close monitoring should be maintained and necessary follow-up

actions must be carried out in coordination with field-level teams and Primary

Health Centres.

Field staff should be mobilised to promote public health messages within

communities that included promoting hand hygiene, encouraging wearing

masks in crowded places to reduce transmission, and maintaining cough

etiquette and a safe distance from individuals showing symptoms of

respiratory illness.

UNI GV