R. ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, APRIL 16
One more COVID-19 death was reported in Tamil Nadu taking the virus toll in the state to 15 on Thursday, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami described coronavirus as a “disease of the rich” and “big challenge”, and said the state has managed to contain the spread of the contagion as the daily positive cases were showing a dip.
Addressing the reporters after having a discussion with the district collectors over video-conference, Palaniswami said a committee under Finance Secretary S Krishnan has been formed to devise the exit strategy post-May 3 when the extended lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to end.
கொரோனா பரவல் தடுப்பு மற்றும் நிவாரணப் பணிகள் குறித்தும், ஊரடங்கு நீட்டிக்கப்பட்டதையொட்டி எடுக்கப்பட வேண்டிய நடவடிக்கைகள் குறித்தும், பொதுமக்களுக்கு அத்தியாவசிய பொருட்கள் தங்கு தடையின்றி கிடைப்பது குறித்தும் அனைத்து மாவட்ட ஆட்சியர்களுடன் காணொலி காட்சி மூலம் ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டேன். pic.twitter.com/9oulVQc2HX
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) April 16, 2020
The exit strategy could be a ”phased” one, he said, adding, the committee will also discuss on finalising what industries may be allowed to function after April 20, as permitted by the Centre.
On Thursday, the state reported one more COVID-19 death while 25 more people tested positive for the disease, taking the toll due to it to 15 and total cases to 1,267, Palaniswami said.
“This disease is a big challenge,” as many as 180 people have been discharged so far, as against the 118 on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said.
Palaniswami said the lower number of fresh cases showed the government was containing the spread of the contagion. Fresh cases on Wednesday stood at 38, a little more than Tuesday’s tally of 31, unlike higher numbers seen earlier in the week. The state had reported 98 fresh cases on Monday and 106 on Sunday.
As many as 87 lakh people had been screened in 558 containment zones in the state. So far, 11 doctors, including six government ones, have been infected with the virus and this number was less compared to other states like Delhi and Mumbai, he said.
Govt measures help contain its spread
“It is a disease of the rich. People who had travelled abroad or to other states have imported it (to Tamil Nadu). It did not originate here,” he said.
Divulging details and statistics to explain the state’s fight against COVID-19, the Chief Minister said it took an early lead by launching screening of air passengers and placing orders for personal procurement equipment as early as in January.
There were adequate stocks of ventilators, PPE and masks while enough strength of health workers has been ensured, including new appointments. Further orders have also been placed. The rapid test kits ordered by the state with China have been “diverted to another nation,” and even Centre was awaiting the consignment, he said.
The state was in the second stage of the spread and today’s new number of cases of 25 against 38 yesterday showed the state has managed to contain it, he said.
He expressed the hope that the number will soon touch zero as the rate of people getting cured was also increasing.
Govt extends medical cover to journalists
Further, extending government support to journalists, he said it will bear all the expenses incurred if they contracted the virus and would provide an ex gratia of Rs five lakh in the event of their “unfortunate death.” These facilities will apply to accredited journalists, he added.
DMK is the party which only criticises: Palaniswami
Hitting out at the Main Opposition DMK for its criticism of the government over the handling of the contagion, the chief minister accused M K Stalin of finding fault during any disaster, including the earlier cyclones in the state like Gaja and Okhi.
“This is a planned criticism as we are effectively containing the spread,” he said and wondered what the 38 Lok Sabha MPs of the DMK and its allies had done for Tamil Nadu in the state though “people have elected them to do something.”
Similar criticism was made against the AIADMK by the DMK when the former had 37 of the 39 MPs from the state in the previous Lok Sabha, Palaniswami said.
“DMK is the party which only criticises,” he said and added that this was not the case with other states. He regretted that there was “politics over a disease” in Tamil Nadu.
To a question, Palaniswami said people’s essential needs, including those in the containment zones, were being taken care of by the government.
This included cash assistance and provisions of free rice and pulses to rice ration cardholders and financial help to those in the unorganised sector.
About 13,000 migrant labourers were lodged in 311 facilities and their needs were being taken care of, he added.
The police were also strictly enforcing the lockdown, with the authorities having clamped section 144 of the CrPC, which bars assembly of more than five people, for this purpose.
Police have filed 1.94 lakh cases and arrested over two lakh people for lockdown violations, besides seizing 1.79 lakh vehicles, he said. A sum of Rs 89 lakh has been collected as fine, the Chief Minister said.
Meanwhile, the police have announced returning the seized vehicles to its owners and said this will be done after verifying the documents.
The process will be carried out at the local police station, the state police said.
