Govt traces, quarantines 257 contacts of 2nd, 3rd patients

The people who are quarantined include family members, friends, neighbours, visitors and all those who had contacted them, said the Minister, adding that those with symptoms, travel history and contact history with the infected persons were being tested for coronavirus.

The source of infection of the second positive person who arrived in Chennai from Delhi on a train is unknown.

When asked about the localities of the two recent cases, the Health Minister said that the department had the responsibility of not creating panic among the residents. The officials would ensure that every individual who is likely to be infected was traced and quarantined, he added.

Vijaya Baskar also visited the 104-emergency help line call center that receives about 400-500 calls every day apart from the calls from the control room. “The State has dedicated 100 ambulances for the patients with suspected symptoms of coronavirus. These ambulances are doing about 25-28 trips daily,” he said.

The Minister urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel. “I am worried about the large number of people at railway stations and bus stops despite advisories to maintain social distancing and take adequate preventive measures. All educational institutions and shopping malls have been closed. But people should not consider the leave as a holiday. No community spread has been recorded in the State, but we are concerned about an outbreak and are trying to prevent it,” he said.