Covid-19: Koyambedu market in Chennai becomes hotspot as Tamil Nadu reports 527 new cases – India Today

Chennai News

Tamil Nadu on Monday reported 527 new cases of coronavirus, taking the total number of cases in the state to 3,550.

According to the latest health bulletin, one more person has died of Covid-19 in the state in the last 24 hours, taking Tamil Nadu’s total death toll to 31.

State authorities said that a majority of the new Covid-19 cases in Tamil Nadu are linked to the Koyambedu Wholesale Market in Chennai.

Last week, the Koyambedu market, one of the largest in the country for vegetables, flowers and fruits, emerged as a hotspot in Chennai.

The Koyambedu market, spread over 295 acres became functional during the first tenure (1991-96) of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and it has 3,000 plus vegetable, fruit and flower shops and is one of the biggest in India for perishable commodities.

Overall, Chennai has reported so far reported 1,724 Covid-19 cases and 18 deaths.

On Monday, after being shut for 40 days, standalone outlets dealing in trades like building material and computers resumed business in non-containment zones across Tamil Nadu following the relaxation of curbs, while migrant workers came out in large numbers in their regions of stay, demanding that authorities send them back home.

State-run retail liquor outlet chain (TASMAC-Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) however, did not resume operations unlike neighbouring Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/covid-19-koyambedu-market-in-chennai-becomes-hotspot-as-tamil-nadu-reports-3-550-cases-1674324-2020-05-04