Inter-state travel between TN-Kerala posing challenge in fighting COVID: Health Minister

Inaugurating the State’s second mega vaccination drive in Pollachi, the Minister said, despite good efforts of the administration, the daily infections continue to hover around 200.

“It is because of the movement of people between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, through the 13 check posts in the district, for essential works like business, jobs and education. Kerala reports more than 20,000 cases daily,” Subramanian said.

He added that, as a result of the stringent preventive measures taken by the government, Zika and Nipah virus were not able to enter the state from neighbouring Kerala.

With Kerala reporting Nipah virus cases which resulted in the death of a boy, the government has been monitoring the situation by setting up 13 check-posts in Coimbatore district which is close to Kerala on the directives of Chief Minister, MK Stalin, the Minister told reporters here.

“The stringent preventive measures taken by the Tamil Nadu government, including setting up of check-posts in the border areas with Kerala ensured that Nipah and Zika virus could not enter the state,” he added.

Those entering the State from Kerala had to undergo RT-PCR tests and carry vaccination certificates and were sent back if they failed the test and did not carry the certificates, he said.

Stating that Coimbatore tops in vaccinating eligible population, Subramanian said, of the 29, 27,149 lakh people aged above 18 years, 75 per cent had received their first dose and 25 per cent, second dose.

He said 45 per cent of the population in Tamil Nadu was inoculated with the first dose as against the national average of 62 per cent as on September 11. “It rose to 52 per cent following the first mega vaccination camp on September 12 and further to 56 per cent in a week. The second vaccination camp may further increase this average,” he claimed.

Earlier, the Minister inaugurated two oxygen generators installed at a cost of Rs 180 crore at Pollachi Government Headquarters Hospital, then released a COVID-19 awareness video and inspected the interstate check post at Meenakshipuram.

In Tirupur, after visiting a mega vaccination camp, the Health Minister said that out of 1.06 lakh doses allotted for the district for the mega vaccination on September 12, health workers managed to administer 1.21 lakh doses by extracting 15,000 more doses.

“This is the highest volume extracted by any district in the State. The volume of vaccine per dose has not been reduced and the 5ml dose prescribed by the WHO guidelines is being followed,” he said.