Chennai: Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar today said that even as the government is focussing on creating awareness about coronavirus, it is also concentrating on research for finding a cure.
He was answering to a question raised by Leader of Opposition M K Stalin as to whether the government is aware of the medicine USA claimed to have found to cure for coronavirus.
Vijaya Baskar said, ”Yesterday we held a conference with researchers from across the globe. We have been giving supportive and symptomatic treatment by which we were able to recover one affected patient in the State. We are trying to find a cure by using different drug combinations and it is under research. We are expecting a good news soon.”
Vijaya Baskar also said at present there are four government testing centres in Tamilnadu. ”We are expecting to get approval for the fifth testing lab in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital today evening. Apart from this a few hospitals such as Apollo and Vellore CMC have requested to setup testing labs in their premises. The government has recommended this to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Once approval is given, the fee for the testing in these labs will be fixed by the government,” he answered to a supplementary question raised by DMK legislator Ponmudi about giving permission for private hospitals to do coronavirus testing.
Earlier, Animal Husbandry Minister Udumalai Radhakrishnan said that coronavirus does not spread through chicken and eggs. He was responding to Namakkal MLA KPP Baskar’s statement that those involved in chicken and egg business are facing huge loss due to the sudden reduction in the price.
Meanwhile, Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani said that the Greater Chennai Corporation has strictly ordered and enforced the closure of all the shops across Ranganathan Street in T Nagar. ”GCC will initiate stringent action against those violating this compliance and order,” he tweeted.
T Nagar closed
After shops were ordered to shut in T Nagar, Revenue Administration, Disaster Management and Mitigation Principal Secretary J Radhakrishnan visited the business hub and reviewed the situation.
Speaking to mediapersons, he said, ”People do not have to be scared about coronavirus, however they should be careful. Commercial complexes have been asked to close, only to avoid people from gathering in groups.”