Third Wave of COVID-19 Started in Tamil Nadu, Says Health Minister

The third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic has started in Tamil Nadu, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said in Chennai on January 2.

“The infection is spreading. In the past few days, it has been rising incrementally,” he said, citing the number of fresh cases in the State, while inspecting the 17th mega vaccination camp.

‘Tamil Nadu government recommends virtual monitoring of patients who got infected with omicron variant. They are provided with pulse oximeter and told to note down their oxygen levels in a book.’
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Though Chennai continued to lead the State in vaccination, more than five lakh persons had not yet received even one dose of the vaccine, he said.

Of the 33.22 lakh students aged 15–18 for whom vaccination would be launched at Manthoppu Government Girls Higher Secondary School at Saidapet on Monday, 26 lakh would be covered through the local bodies, with support from the School Education and Higher Education Departments, he said.

Among 4 lakh engineering students, 46% had received the first dose and 12% the second dose. Those infected after completing the two-dose regimen would henceforth be advised home quarantine.

"Persons with symptoms would be admitted to COVID-19 Care Centers and those with serious health conditions alone would be hospitalized," Mr. Subramanian said.

Those infected with the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus undergo swab tests on the third day of admission to hospital and again on the fifth day. If they test negative both times, they are discharged and advised treatment at home.

Long Covid Still a Risk With Omicron: Fauci
Long Covid can happen no matter what virus variant occurs and people infected with Omicron are also likely to suffer from long Covid.

The Health Department has proposed a protocol followed by the United Kingdom. Patients with the Omicron variant are monitored virtually. They are provided with pulse oximeter and told to note down their oxygen levels in a notebook.

“We are monitoring the situation, and if cases increase, those fully vaccinated, if infected, will be brought under such a system of surveillance. A district-level committee of health officials will monitor the patients virtually,” he said.

He said the Health Department had put up 100 beds at Injambakkam and Manjambakkam. At Chennai Trade Centre, it was proposed to put up 800 beds, and housing board facilities would have 2,000 beds.

On Monday, the Higher Education Department and the Director of Collegiate Education would hold a meeting to get the hostels vacated and beds installed there.

Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi said that there are 4.59 lakh students in the 15–18 age group that must be vaccinated. The civic body opened telephone numbers that would operate round the clock at Ripon Building. "People under home quarantine could dial 044-25384520 and 044-46122300 for assistance from doctors," Mr. Bedi said.

Source-Medindia