Chennai: Warning that the growth rate of positive cases is higher than during the earlier surge in 2020, the directorate of public health advised district health officials to take effective control measures.
Health department officials, while denying chances for total lockdown, however said restrictions will be tightened in Covid-19 containment areas.
“Restrictions will gradually be enforced for non-essential activities based on governmentās policy decisions and views of public health experts,” said a top offcial.
“Some steps should be taken without affecting the public and with public cooperation we can avoid an out-of-control situation like Maharashtra,” the official added.
Health Secretary Dr Radhakrishnan said people should avoid crowding during non-essential activities like marriages, funerals and cultural events, besides also avoiding unnecessary travel.
The test positivity rate is 8.01 percent in Chennai, 6.85 percent in Ranipet, 6.17 percent in Coimbatore and 5.53 percent in Chengalpattu. The Union Health Ministry has advised to bring down the positivity rate to below 5 percent.