Health Min holds consultation meet over Covid preparedness

CHENNAI: Health Minister Ma Subramanian chaired a consultation meeting on Covid prevention and precautionary measures taken against viral infections on Tuesday. Recently, the Union Health Ministry had issued a circular to monitor the number of cases of Covid as the numbers were increasing.

Subramanian said that Tamil Nadu had a low infection rate with about 2 cases per day around two months ago. As of Monday, the Covid cases stood at 76.

“There is no need to panic. The number of cases that were below 200 in the country has exceeded 1,000 recently. But numbers are rising in other countries also since international passengers being tested positive are also increasing. Random 2% tests on people coming from foreign countries is also being done,” he stated.

Talking about H3N2 and fever cases, he said that the government had started special fever camps using 476 mobile medical vehicles in 1,586 places in one day. “Fever camps will continue. In the last 10 days, 23,833 camps have been conducted to screen 10.47 lakh people. At least 7,255 flu cases were reported through these tests. They were advised to undergo treatment and isolate themselves at home. Currently, there are only 15 active cases of H3N2 flu in the State as the cases have declined,” he added.

The Union Government had asked to ensure that there was sufficient supply of medicines in government hospitals and the readiness of all Covid beds and oxygen.

“We do not have XBB 1.16 cases and there is no major concern regarding that. We have facilities to store 2,000 metric tons of oxygen. Additional bed facilities that were set up during the last wave are still functional. The Health Secretary has instructed government medical colleges and hospitals about it as well. The stocks of all medicines are also available,” he added.