T.N. risks slipping to stage 3 of COVID-19 pandemic, says CM

‘Decision on lockdown extension after inputs from experts’

10/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

People passing through a disinfection tunnel at an Uzhavar Sandhai in Coimbatore on Thursday. M. PERIASAMYM_PERIASAMY

Tamil Nadu was in stage 2 of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the possibility of moving to stage 3 (community transmission), Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Thursday.

After chairing a review meeting with members of 12 coordination teams at the Secretariat, he said that the government was taking proactive steps against the disease. “Measures to contain it at stage 2 are being taken,” he added.

About the possibility of extending the lockdown beyond April 14, Mr. Palaniswami said: “A decision will be taken only on the basis of the severity of the spread [of the pandemic]. The spread has been increasing day by day... Every other day, the coronavirus tally is on the rise.” Inputs of the 19-member medical experts’ team, along with recommendations from the 12 coordination teams, which include IAS officers, would be considered before deciding on extending the lockdown, he said.

Mr. Palaniswami called upon people with COVID-19 symptoms to go to nearby hospitals for treatment.

“People should not step out unnecessarily except for essentials. As I said earlier, shop and stock for a week... We don’t want to lose even a single life to this,” he added.