Contact Tracing Increased as COVID-19 Cases Increase in Chennai

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has increased contact tracing among close and extended family members who are COVID positive due to the recent rise in cases. Sources in the Corporation told IANS that presently around 6,000 samples are being traced and samples have been taken in Chennai city itself.

A senior official with the GCC while speaking to IANS said, "The rise in COVID cases are mostly due to the travel to other states and countries. Attending public gatherings such as weddings, meetings, workplaces and fish and vegetable markets are some of the reason for getting affected."

He also, however, said that Tiruvottriyur and Thiru Vi Ka zones have traced lesser contacts and hence, needed to be increased. The Tamil Nadu Health Department has directed the GCC to trace at least 10 contacts of a positive case and to ensure that all the positive cases are being contacted on a daily basis.

The GCC has also directed the health officials to conduct a door-to-door vaccination campaign as 12 lakh people in the corporation are yet to take their second dose of the vaccine.

The corporation has also commenced an awareness drive among the 60 years plus category of people for taking the third dose of vaccine.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian while speaking to IANS said, "The presence of Omicron subvariant BA4 and BA5 are spreading faster and if a person in a family gets infected then immediately the others also get affected."

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He called upon the people to ensure that they are adhering to COVID protocol and to wear masks and keep safe distance and regular sanitization.

Ma Subramanian said, "Most of the COVID cases are in home isolation and are getting cured fast and those admitted to the hospitals are having cold, fever, cough and mild infection. There are no ICU cases even though the hospitals of the state are equipped with Oxygen beds and other emergency facilities are available."

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Source-IANS