Passengers who returned from China are being monitored: Ma Su

CHENNAI: Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Wednesday said that the state health department is monitoring three international passengers who returned to Madurai from China via Colombo. The samples will undergo genomic sequencing and the test results will be available in 4 to 5 days.

"A 36-year-old woman from China came to Madurai, via South Korea and Sri Lanka with her two daughters. The officials of the health department in Madurai have conducted RT-PCR test for all passengers going by the guidelines from the Union Health Ministry to test all international passengers arriving in Tamil Nadu from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand, " said Subramanian.

After monitoring them yesterday, an RT PCR test was done, and it was found that the woman and one of her daughters were infected.

They are currently in isolation at home in Virudhunagar.

In this case, his brother, who had picked them up from the airport, is also being tested.

"The samples will undergo genomic sequencing and the test results will be available in 4 or 5 days. It will take at least four to five days to determine whether the virus is BA.5 or BF.7 virus. Those two who are infected are mildly affected and we are constantly monitoring them. Anyone close to them has been advised not to come in contact with them, " he said.

The minister stated that public places and places where new year celebrations are being conducted should follow Covid safety measures.

Talking about the vaccination in the state, "There are three lakh vaccines in stock, including 2.6 lakh doses of Covaxin and 40,000 doses of Covishield. The state has sought permission from the Union Government to administer the nasal vaccine at government hospitals and response is awaited, " added Subramanian.

Meanwhile, the health minister handed over the relief amount of Rs 4 lakh to the family of a head injury victim due to a wall collapse in Saidapet during the cyclone Mandous.

Her 3-year-old child had also suffered minor injuries and was treated at the Institute of Child Health and has recovered well.

The husband of the victim had a bicycle repair shop and the government will also be giving him his own shop.