Coronavirus: Tamil Nadu to set up more labs – Times of India

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu will set up diagnostic laboratories across the state to test coronavirus (Covind-19) cases, health secretary Beela Rajesh said here on Sunday.
At present, all samples are sent either to Chennai-based King Institute of Preventive Medicine or to Pune-based National Institute of Virology.
She said a lab would be opened in Theni in a couple of days. “The health department will set up similar labs across the state as soon as possible. This will prevent delay in diagnosis,” the health secretary told reporters after holding meeting on prevention and control of Covid-19.
Patient’s condition stable
The health condition of a 45-year-old patient who was tested positive for Covid-19 remained stable on Sunday. He continued to remain in an isolation war in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai.
The department has traced 27 people, including his family members, and asked them to remain in home quarantine. “When he arrived from Muscat, he did not have any symptoms. He passed through the thermal scanner without any problem. But he came to us after he developed symptoms. We are tracking all his primary, secondary and third level contacts,” she said.
On Sunday, two patients were admitted to two different hospitals in Chennai with flu-like symptoms. One patient from the US was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital while the other, who has a travel history to Nepal, was admitted to Southern Railway Headquarters Hospital.
‘Avoid needless travel’
All international passengers are being screened at the airport. Railways and state transport corporations have also been asked to sterilise coaches and buses.
The health secretary said the state had adequate stock of medicine, masks and other safety gears. “We need to follow hand hygiene and cough etiquette and avoid needless travel. Those with conditions such as diabetes and hypertension should keep their disorder under control.”
The state is examining the possibility of capping the price of masks and banning their sale over the counter (to be sold only through prescription). “Some people need masks for prevention against pollution. We are keeping a watch on the market situation,” she said.