TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai: 29.08.2020
Ever since the epass restrictions were relaxed, Chennai has witnessed an influx of 3.25 lakh people, Greater Chennai Corporation commissioner G Prakash said on Friday. This had led to an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases but Prakash said it “was expected and the civic body is prepared for it”.
Prakash said every day around 30,000-35,000 people were entering the city. “Home quarantine is a method of controlling the spread. We don’t know if those entering have been tested earlier or not. Keeping them in a confined space for 14 days and testing if they get symptoms is a correct method,” he said.
Prakash said Chennai and Tamil Nadu’s focus has now shifted to reduction of Covid deaths. “We can’t stop the inflow or outflow of public or the spread of cases. We can only scientifically control it,” Prakash said.
Health secretary J Radhakrishnan said people must get tested for Covid if they have symptoms. “We are getting many cases where people complain of breathlessness and come in at the last minute. They die within a day. These are avoidable deaths,” he said.
“Instead of getting tested, people were getting CT scans and wasting three to four precious days, which can cost them their lives,” Radhakrishnan said. People were avoiding tests as they were worried about being quarantined for a fortnight, he said. Radhakrishnan said using masks, physical distancing and regular handwashing should be rigorously practised. Prakash said such regulations will continue till the end of 2020.
The commissioner said there were rumours on social media that about Rs 15,000 award to be given to those who would help authorities find Covid-19 patients. “People spreading such rumours would be dealt with severely,” said Prakash.
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