Eight more samples test positive for Delta Plus

Eight samples have returned positive for the Delta Plus variant of the novel coronavirus in Tamil Nadu. So far, this variant has been present in 9 samples lifted from COVID-19 sufferers within the State.

Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan mentioned three samples despatched from the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine and 6 despatched by the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) had returned positive for the variant. While the DPH had despatched practically 1,150 samples to InStem, Bengaluru, for genomic sequencing to detect the SARS-CoV-2 variants, the NIE’s pool had a pattern dimension of 457.

Two days in the past, the pattern of a 32-year-old lady from Chennai had returned positive for the variant. Of the six samples despatched by the NIE, three have been from residents of Chennai and three from Tiruvallur. The samples have been collected in the course of the finish of April and the primary week of May and despatched for evaluation to the National Institute of Virology, Pune. All six of them had recovered from COVID-19. The remaining two samples — amongst these despatched by the DPH — have been from Kancheepuram and Madurai.

Minister for Medical and Family Welfare Ma. Subramanian informed reporters on Friday that the particular person from Kancheepuram had recovered from COVID-19, whereas the Madurai resident had succumbed to the an infection after which a pattern was lifted. Their contacts have been examined and located unfavorable for COVID-19.

“We have been lifting samples from clusters and sending them for genomic sequencing to InStem. We will continue to send samples for genomic sequencing to InStem every month,” he mentioned.

The Minister identified that as of now, there have been practically 14 laboratories the place genomic sequencing of the virus was being accomplished within the nation. All these laboratories got here underneath the management of the Centre and adopted pointers of the Indian Council of Medical Research, he mentioned.

“There are certain regulations and the need for approval to set up such a laboratory in Chennai. We have sought the Centre’s approval to set up a laboratory today. Equipment will cost around ₹2.5 crore… We are planning to complete the required processes in 20 to 25 days, and have identified two to three places… As of now, sending samples to Bengaluru and getting the results is taking a lot of time,” he mentioned.

Wards for the therapy of mucormycosis had been opened in any respect authorities medical faculty hospitals with a complete of seven,000 beds. These included 500 beds every in Chennai and Madurai and round 200-300 beds in different districts. Thus far, 2,822 sufferers had been affected. He mentioned the duty drive on mucormycosis had submitted its interim report. “Compared with other States, mortality due to mucormycosis was reduced by more than half in Tamil Nadu owing to early interventions. Patients are advised to seek treatment early in case of symptoms,” he mentioned.

On Thursday, the State vaccinated 4,32,044 individuals, the best day by day determine thus far, Mr. Subramanian mentioned. “There is an uninterrupted supply of vaccines to the State… So far, we have received a total of 1,41,27,980 doses. A total of 1,32,59,288 persons have received the vaccines. As of this morning [Friday morning], we have 6,74,660 doses, and are expecting another three lakh doses during the day,” he mentioned.