Tamil Nadu crosses 12,000 mark; reports 688 cases

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu reported 688 cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday and surpassed the 12,000 mark. Three more deaths were also reported taking the total tally up to 84 deaths in the State, a government media bulletin confirmed.

This comes after the State eased restrictions in 25 districts while maintaining a tough stance in 12 districts that are badly affected, which include Chennai and neighbouring districts.

In the 25 districts which include Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Tiruppur, Namakkal, Karur, Trichy and Tuticorin, people do not need the state-government e-pass for travelling. Further, buses, cabs and auto-rickshaws can ply on roads. Employees need to take permission from the authorities for travel though. Special buses can ferry up to 20 employees for travelling to office while vans can carry up to seven people at a time. Small cars can accommodate two passengers apart from the driver and SUVs are allowed to ferry three people, the government said.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami also announced on Sunday that industries with less than 100 employees can operate with 100% workforce. Those with more than 100 personnel can work with 50% of staffers or 100 workers (whichever is higher). This new relaxation for industries applies to all regions in Tamil Nadu, barring Chennai city and its suburbs, the government clarified.

The Chief Minister, however, stated that there would be no relaxation in the other 12 districts.

Out of the 688 Covid-19 cases reported on Tuesday, 87 were people who came to Tamil Nadu from other countries and states. Of them, 23 people were from Dubai, 49 were from Maharashtra, and one person each from Kerala and the Maldives.

The State has witnessed 12,448 cases and 4895 recoveries in all. On Tuesday alone, 489 patients were discharged.

Chennai accounted for 522 cases on Tuesday alone. The city has had 7672 cases of the infection so far. However, accordingg to the media bulletin, Coimbatore, Erode, Namakkal and Tiruppur have zero active cases.

So far, 747 children below the age of 12 have tested positive in the state.

Further, 3,48,174 samples have been tested till date and 10,333 samples were tested on Tuesday alone.