Health workers collect swabs at a fever camp in Chennai. Express Photo: Srinivas K
Chennai, Hyderabad Coronavirus News Live Updates: Tamil Nadu recorded 1235 positive cases of COVID-19 on Friday, bringing the state tally to 7,96,475. Among these, Chennai reported 307 positive cases, bringing the city’s total to 2,19,168. The state recorded 17 deaths on Friday, putting the state toll at 11,870. All 17 of them had succumbed due to comorbidities. The state discharged 1311 patients following treatment, putting the total number of recoveries at 7,74,306.
As of Friday, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu is 10,299. Till date, 4,81,239 males, 3,15,202 females and 34 transgenders have tested positive for the virus in the state.
According to a bulletin released by the Health and Family Welfare Department of Tamil Nadu, 1,28,14,915 samples from the state have been sent for testing till date, with 70,346 samples having been sent yesterday. There are 228 COVID-19 testing facilities in the state, out of which 67 are government and 161 are private facilities.
An aerial view of flooded Mudichur area following heavy rain triggered by Cyclone Nivar, in Chennai. (PTI Photo)
To provide a solution to flooding woes in Chennai’s low-lying areas, the Tamil Nadu government has approved a stormwater drains project, to be executed by the Greater Chennai Corporation and the state Public Welfare Department (PWD) at an estimated cost of Rs 400 crore. The project was sanctioned after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami visited Chennai localities hit by heavy rainfall during Cyclones Nivar and Burevi recently.
READ | Chennai: Rs 400-crore stormwater drains project approved for city’s south
Among the five drains, the Chennai Corporation will build three and the PWD two. The drains built by the corporation will come up at the stretch between Pallikaranai Marshland and the Radial road connecting the Buckingham canal. The next channel will be linked from Perumbakkam to Buckingham canal and Nookampalayam to Semmencheri slum tenement. The PWD will build the channel in Tharambur and Navalur.
Also Read | Chennai: As slum-dwellers oppose eviction drive, Pa. Ranjith, Kamal Haasan speak up in support
On Wednesday, when public welfare department staff, Chennai Municipal Corporation officials and the police reached the area and asked residents to move out, they refused to budge. The officials bulldozed several houses in and warned people of legal action. The residents then went on a hunger strike, entered the Cooum river, and stayed in the neck-deep water for hours, until the authorities halted the eviction drive and left. The video of close to a dozen men and women standing in the sewage water was circulated across social media.
Also Read | Explained: What do we know about the mystery illness in Eluru?
The Andhra Pradesh Government has set up a 21-member multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the cause of the mystery illness in Eluru town in West Godavari district. “After careful examination of the situation, the Government constitutes a multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the source of the infection, thoroughly examine various causes of the incident and suggest remedial measures to prevent any occurrence of such events in future in the state,” a statement said.
READ | Andhra govt forms multi-disciplinary panel to probe Eluru ‘mystery’ illness
For assistance on COVID-19-related queries and mental health support in Chennai, citizens can contact the Greater Chennai Corporation’s (GCC) COVID-19 helpline 044 46122300 | Citizens can find the nearest GCC-facilitated COVID-19 fever clinic here | For lodging rain-related complaints and assistance during the monsoon, citizens can contact the GCC’s monsoon helplines 044 25384530 or 044 25384540 or the control room 1913 (available 24×7)
Chennai Hyderabad Coronavirus December 9, 10 Highlights
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/tamil-nadu-andhra-pradesh-telangana-coronavirus-chennai-hyderabad-edappadi-chandrashekar-rao-ysr-northeast-monsoon-eluru-mystery-illness-live-7100414/
