Tamil Nadu reports 86 new cases, two more patients die

85 of these are linked to the Delhi conference

06/04/2020, R. SUJATHA ,CHENNAI

A two-wheeler rider passing through a disinfectant tunnel at Maduravoyal.M. Vedhan

Two persons who tested positive for COVID-19 infection died, taking the death toll in the State to five, health officials said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, 86 new cases were reported, bringing the total number of cases to 571.

A bulletin from the Health Department said a 71-year-old man from Ramanathapuram, who was admitted to Stanley Government Hospital on Thursday around 9.45 a.m., died two hours later. The results of his blood samples returned positive for COVID-19 infection.

Health Secretary Beela Rajesh told mediapersons that the patient had been under home quarantine and was brought to hospital only after his condition worsened significantly. He died within 90 minutes of reaching the hospital, she said.

On Sunday morning, a 60-year-old man, admitted to the same hospital on April 1, tested positive for the infection and died around 1.45 a.m. “Till yesterday, he was doing fine, but within hours ventilator support was required and it was given. Death occurred within two hours,” Dr. Rajesh added.

All but one of the 86 cases were either people who travelled to Delhi or their contacts did. One person had a travel history to Dubai, the Health Secretary said.

Among the 85 persons who tested positive, four had contact with those who went to Delhi and tested positive. This includes three women from Kanniyakumari, Namakkal and Thoothukudi districts and a man from Thoothukudi.