No plan for complete lockdown in parts of Chennai, govt. tells HC

No plan for complete lockdown in parts of Chennai, govt. tells HC

‘Issuance of e-passes to city residents has not been stopped’

13/06/2020

The Tamil Nadu government on Friday told the Madras High Court that there was no plan, at present, to enforce a complete lockdown in parts of Chennai.

It also termed as “rumours” messages being circulated on social media about the government having stopped issuance of e-passes to residents of Chennai who wanted to travel to other districts. Appearing before a Division Bench of Justices Vineet Kothari and R. Suresh Kumar, Additional Advocate General S.R. Rajagopal said that decisions on lockdown were being taken by the State government on the basis of recommendations of a technical committee appointed to look into ways and means to contain COVID-19. “As of now, Lockdown 5.0 is on with some relaxations,” he pointed out, stating that although the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 was on the rise in Chennai, the government had been taking steps to quarantine the infected and their family members. Restrictions were imposed on the movement of people from particular buildings and streets.

At this point, Justice Kumar asked if there was any plan to implement a complete lockdown in parts of Chennai and the AAG replied in the negative. “I don’t think there is going to be a 100% lockdown in Chennai… As of now, the government does not have any such plan,” he said.

“There is also some news about the government having stopped issuing e-passes to residents of Chennai city. Is that correct,” the judge asked. Mr. Rajagopal said that these were “rumours”.

SC refuses to hear case on MBBS seat quota; DMK approaches Madras HC

SC refuses to hear case on MBBS seat quota; DMK approaches Madras HC

TNN | Jun 12, 2020, 05.57 AM IST

CHENNAI: Hours after the Supreme Court refused to entertain a batch of pleas moved by all major political parties in TN, besides the Tamil Nadu government, challenging the Centre's decision not to allot 50% of medical seats under All India Quota to OBC students, the DMK moved the Madras high court with a similar plea.

When the batch came up for admission on Thursday, a bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, Krishna Murari and S Ravindra Bhat permitted petitioners to withdraw the pleas, giving them the liberty to approach the HC first. Among the petitioners are the DMK, AIADMK, Congress, PMK, CPI and CPI(M).

"All India quota seats are contributed by states surrendering seats in government and private medical and dental colleges as per the MCI regulations," DMK counsel and senior advocate P Wilson said.

The issue pertains to the Centre's decision not to allot 50% of seats medical courses to OBC students, from seats surrendered by the Tamil Nadu government to All India Quota (AIQ). Citing loss of OBC quota seats in undergraduate, postgraduate medical and dental courses for the academic year 2020-21, the cases had been instituted. While Medical Council of India (MCI) regulations clearly contemplate adherence to state reservation laws while filling the seats, the Centre refused to follow the state law pertaining to OBC reservation in the AIQ, the petitioner said.

The DMK added that providing professional education for the marginalised will benefit talented students who could not secure competitive marks due to their economic and social circumstances.

The party wanted the court to call for the records pertaining to the result of NEET-PG 2020 published on May 9 by the National Board of Examinations for filling up seats under the all India quota and quash the same as unconstitutional.

The AIADMK said there was no rational basis for not extending the benefits of 50% quota for OBCs to the 'state-captured 'seats in the AIQ. OBCs have been grossly under-represented in AIQ seats in undergraduate, diploma, postgraduate diploma and postgraduate medical colleges across the country, it said.

When And How To Discharge COVID-19 Patients: Check Our Health Ministry's Revised Discharge Policy

When And How To Discharge COVID-19 Patients: Check Our Health Ministry's Revised Discharge Policy 

By Medical Dialogues Bureau 

Published On 13 Jun 2020 8:50 AM | Updated On 13 Jun 2020 8:50 AM 

New Delhi - For sake of clarity of medical institutions dealing on coronavirus cases, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has issued a "Revised Discharge Policy for COVID-19' for better management of COVID-19 pandemic. All MSs/MDs/Directors of all hospitals of Delhi including hospitals under Government of Delhi, Government of India, Private Sector, Urban Local Bodies an Army etc have directed to adopt 'Revised Discharge Policy for COVID-19' issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India (copy enclosed) with immediate effect. 

Revised Discharge Policy for COVID-19 The revised discharge policy is aligned with the guidelines on the 3 tier COVID facilities and the categorization of the patients based on clinical severity 

1. Mild/very mild/pre-symptomatic cases 

Mild/very mild/pre-symptomatic cases admitted to a COVID Care Facility will undergo regular temperature and pulse oximetry monitoring. The patient can be discharged after 10 days of symptom onset and no fever for 3 days. There will be no need for testing prior to discharge. 

At the time of discharge, the patient will be advised to isolate himself at home and self-monitor their health for further 7 days. At any point of time, prior to discharge from CCC, if the oxygen saturation dips below 95%, patient is moved to Dedicated COVID Health Centre (DCHC). 

After discharge from the facility, if he/she again develops symptoms of fever, cough or breathing difficulty he will contact the COVID Care Centre or State helpline or 1075. His/her health will again be followed up through tele-conference on 14th day. 

2. Moderate cases admitted to Dedicated COVID Health Centre (Oxygen beds) 

2.1.Patients whose symptoms resolve within 3 days and maintains saturation above 95% for the next 4 days Cases clinically classified as "moderate cases" will undergo monitoring of body temperature and oxygen saturation. 

If the fever resolve within 3 days and the patient maintains saturation above 95% for the next 4 days (without oxygen support), such patient will be discharged after IO days of symptom onset in case of: 

3. • Absence of fever without antipyretics 

• Resolution of breathlessness 

• No oxygen requirement There will be no need for testing prior to discharge. At the time of discharge, the patient will be advised to isolate himself at home and self-monitor their health for further 7 days. 2.2. Patient on Oxygenation whose fever does not resolve within 3 days and demand of oxygen therapy continues. Such patients will be discharged only after 

• resolution of clinical symptoms 

• ability to maintain oxygen saturation for 3 consecutive days 3. Severe Cases including immunocompromised (HIV patients, transplant recipients, malignancy) Discharge criteria for severe cases will be based on • Clinical recovery • Patient tested negative once by RT-PCR (after resolution of symptoms)

https://medicaldialogues.in/news/health/government-policies/when-and-how-to-discharge-covid-19-patients-check-our-health-ministrys-revised-discharge-policy-66657

J Radhakrishnan replaces Beela Rajesh as TN's health secretary amid surge in COVID-19 cases

J Radhakrishnan replaces Beela Rajesh as TN's health secretary amid surge in COVID-19 cases

The transfer of the top health official comes in the backdrop of the state recording over 1,500 cases in the last week. Radhakrishnan was the Health Secretary for seven years until February 2019.

Published: 12th June 2020 11:59 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: With COVID-19 cases surging by the day in Tamil Nadu, the state government on Friday appointed Commissioner of Revenue Administration J Radhakrishnan as Health Secretary, shunting out Beela Rajesh who was transferred and posted as Secretary, Commercial Taxes and Registration Department.

A government order dated 12 June, issued by the Chief Secretary Shanmugam, said Radhakrishnan will also hold full additional charge as Commissioner of Revenue Administration until further orders.

Dr. J. Radhakrishnan reappointed as #TamilNadu Health Secretary. 

Dr. Beela Rajesh who held the post previously transferred as Secretary to Commercial Taxes & Registration dept.

Radhakrishnan served as Health Secretary for over seven years before he was transferred and posted as Transport Secretary. After a brief stint, he was transferred and posted as Revenue Administration Commissioner. On May 1, he was appointed as special nodal officer for the Chennai Corporation to fight COVID-19.

Radhakrishnan is well known for his relief work after the 2004 tsunami when he was the district collector of Nagapattinam, one of the badly-hit districts. His efficiency in handling the crisis after the tsunami gained considerable appreciation. His administrative skills were lauded by former US President Bill Clinton and the Sri Lankan government utilized his experience in relief work at the time.

The transfer of the top health official comes in the backdrop of the state recording over 1,500 cases in the last one week. Radhakrishnan, a 1992 batch IAS officer, also served as Chennai Corporation Commissioner. A veterinary doctor (MVSc), he was the Health Secretary from September 2012 till February 2019 when Beela Rajesh had succeeded him.

Radhakrishnan was known for handling many crises when he was health secretary.

Vehicle checks intensified on Chennai-Chengalpattu border, valid e-passes mandatory

Vehicle checks intensified on Chennai-Chengalpattu border, valid e-passes mandatory

A police officer said that many people who reached the border claimed they wanted to get out of Chennai as they believed an intensified lockdown was about to come into place

Published: 12th June 2020 02:51 PM |

Chengalpattu district police conduct vehicle checks at Vandalur on Friday. (Photo | Express)

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Even as the state government ruled out a fresh phase of lockdown in Chennai, the police personnel of bordering districts have intensified vehicle checks and only people with valid e-passes are allowed to enter Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Tiruvallur

According to a senior police officer from Chengalpattu, the police are following the already existing rule of only allowing vehicles with e-passes.

"For the last few weeks, thousands of vehicles have been entering and crossing Chengalpattu through GST Road. Since COVID-19 cases in Chengalpattu district have increased manyfold in the past few days, we

started to allow only vehicles with passes and others were sent back," said the senior police officer.

The last time the Chengalpattu border at Vandalur had severe checking was during May first week.

Senior police officers from all three districts have confirmed that many people who reached the border claimed they wanted to get out of Chennai as they believed an intensified lockdown was about to come

into place.

"Many people had believed the rumor and we had to explain to them that the Chief Minister has denied it and that there will be no lockdown now," said a senior police officer from Tiruvallur.

Chengalpattu superintendent of police Kannan told The New Indian Express that this checking will continue for the next few days until COVID-19 cases in Chengalpattu district come down. "We have sent back at least 8000 vehicles since morning and in some cases we had to calm the motorists who get angry because of the vehicle checking," he said.

Similarly in Kancheepuram, the police have barricaded the city borders and intensified the vehicle checkings.

Superintendent of Police D Samundeeswari said told Express, "Owing to the weekend and the rumour of lockdown in Chennai many people wanted to reach Kanchipuram or cross the district. Hundreds of people who are working in Chennai from Kanchipuram told us they had to go and come everyday and that they cannot get e-pass. We have asked them to contact the Collectorate for further details,"

70 PG doctors test positive at RGGGH, lab technician dies

70 PG doctors test positive at RGGGH, lab technician dies

The 53-year-old technician, a known diabetic, was shifted out of lab duty on paper but continued to handle Covid samples, allege sources; GH becomes hot spot

Published: 13th June 2020 05:32 AM 

COVID-19 blood test sample.

By Sinduja Jane

Express News Service

CHENNAI: A day after the government made it mandatory for all people visiting Covid testing centres to quarantine themselves for 14 days, it’s evident that the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital -- one the primary centres in the State for Covid treatment -- continues to be a hotspot. In the last 24 hours, a total of 70 PG doctors at the Madras Medical College, attached to the hospital have tested positive.

Many of these doctors are now admitted to the ESI Hospital in Ayanavaram, where a separate block has been allotted to doctors who test positive. “On Thursday we received seven post graduate doctors from Madras Medical College and on Friday alone 50 doctors came. Condition of all doctors is stable,” said a senior doctor at the ESI Ayanavaram Hospital.

Meanwhile, RGGGH dean R Jayanthi attributed the detection of the cases to more testing, rather than talking about the source of infection. “Only at Madras Medical College we periodically screen our healthcare professionals. We have done more than 3,000 tests so far. I doubt if anywhere else they have done this numbers. It is in the best interest of the professionals. We are being honest and transparent about it,” she said.

It may be noted in the last week of April the men’s hostel of PG doctors at the Madras Medical College was shut down after a sweeper there tested positive. After that among 105 PG doctors screened two were found to be positive. Meanwhile, sources said, over 100 doctors including head of departments and PG doctors tested positive in the last one week. In another major development a 53 year old lab technician at the hospital contracted COVID-19 and died at the same hospital on Thursday. 

Dheenadayalan, the deceased was posted at a Covid sample processing biochemistry lab. “He was working at 24 toxicology lab before that,” sources said. “Recently, he had his leg amputated because of diabetes. Though officially he was placed on non-COVID-19 duty, he was made to continue in the positive sample processing lab only. He was posted at the reception,” said one of the hospital staffs. When asked about this Dean Jayanthi said,”Dheenadayalan was exempted from Covid work because of his health condition. He was on leave before he got admitted in serious condition.” Meanwhile duty schedule record of this month accessed by Express showed that Dheenadayalan was assigned for duty. “He was admitted to the hospital on 8 June. Tested positive on 9 June and died on Thursday,” a staff said.

Cases climb in Chennai

The city has recorded 1,479 cases on Friday, taking its tally to a massive 28,924. Chennai’s neighbouring districts also continued to record significant number of cases. Chengalpattu recorded 128 cases, Kancheepuram 26, and Tiruvallur 92 cases. Among the 18, one died without any co-morbidity. A 38 year old man from Chennai admitted at a private hospital with complaints of fever, cough for three days and difficulty in breathing for two days. He was admitted on 30 May and died on 11 June due to respiratory failure, septic shock with multi organ dysfunction syndrome. Among the deceased 15 were from Chennai, two persons from Chengalpattu and one from Tiruvallur.

Meanwhile, containment zones in the city have risen from just 200 a few weeks ago to 360. Of this, 73 are in Kodambakkam, 76 in Royapuram, and 54 in Tiru Vi Ka Nagar. Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan said that strict measures are being imposed including herd masking, and urged people to follow the non-medical preventive measures such as washing hands. He also said that the 14-day home quarantine rule for those who are taking RT-PCR test was done with good intention.

Thinking of flouting home quarantine? Beware!

Thinking of flouting home quarantine? Beware!

The duo contracted the infection from the son of one of the women, who travelled back to town from Chenani to collect his exam hall ticket.

Published: 13th June 2020 05:32 AM |

By Express News Service

COIMBATORE: The health department is likely to issue a notice against two Chennai returnees for violating home quarantine norms. While a 54-year-old resident of Velandipalayam hid details of his travel to Chennai, a 27-year-old who returned from the capital city managed to give the mandatory testing a miss. While the apartment complex of the former has been locked down, two contacts of latter have tested positive. 

The youth from Vadavalli, who is currently treatment for Covid in ESI Hospital, had informed health officials that he went to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on his arrival from Chennai on Monday by road. However, health department sources said that he was staying in his farmhouse in Vadavalli for almost a week. During the stay he had contact with two women, who have now tested positive. Official sources notices would be served to both of them under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

3 test +ve over hall ticket?

Though the Board Exams were cancelled saving millions of students from the risk of infection, the travel and congregation for the collection of exam hall tickets seem to have affected a few. On Thursday, two women who tested positive for Covid were booked by the Tirunelveli police for refusing to cooperate with the treatment protocols. The duo contracted the infection from the son of one of the women, who travelled back to town from Chenani to collect his exam hall ticket.

Upon his arrival from Chennai, the boy came down with fever. He gave samples at the Agasthiyarpatti Primary Health Centre and tested positive. Through contact tracing, his mother and cousin were also found to be positive. While the boy was transferred to the Tirunelveli GH, the mother and cousin refused to cooperate when asked to move to a hospital. They were later convinced and taken to the same hospital. They have also been booked.