Chennai: With over 4,343 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, Tamilnadu witnessed its worst single-day spike so far, pushing the State’s tally beyond 98,000.
However, Health Minister Dr C Vijayabaskar said that there was no community transmission in Tamilnadu. Speaking to the media, he said, “It is the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that should declare whether there is community transmission or not.”
Responding to comments of DMK president and Leader of Opposition M K Stalin, he said, “The ICMR has already taken up various studies and has said that there is no community transmission in Tamilnadu till now.”
According to Vijayabaskar, 75,000 beds were ready across the State, while Chennai alone has 17,500 beds. Government medical college hospitals had 5,000 beds and their capacity was being increased. He added that 93 per cent of testing kits were purchased through State funds.
Of the new cases reported on Thursday, six passengers who arrived in Tamilnadu from abroad tested positive in the State. In addition to them, 67 passengers who arrived from other Indian States by rail, road or air, tested positive in the state as well. Most of these returnees were from Karnataka (35).