No Covid death in TN so far, says health minister
Pudukottai: No Covid-related deaths have been reported in the state so far, and there is no need to panic, however, people with comorbidities, pregnant women, individuals with low immunity, and the elderly should wear masks, minister for health and family welfare, Ma Subramaniam, said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters in Pudukottai, the minister said, "As far as Covid-19 is concerned, based on the 19 samples collected in Tamil Nadu, the virus belongs to the low-severity Omicron variant. So there is no need for alarm."
Dismissing concerns about a shortage of medical staff in govt facilities, the minister said that the number of people receiving treatment in govt hospitals has grown multifold due to enhanced medical infrastructure and improved healthcare services in Tamil Nadu.
"In the last four years, 29,771 medical personnel have been appointed through TNPSC, MRB, and NHM. Additionally, to address upcoming vacancies in govt primary health centres in 2026, as many as 2,642 doctors have been appointed. Therefore, as far as govt primary health centres are concerned, there is currently a surplus of doctors," he added.
Earlier in the day, the minister, along with ministers Siva Meyyanathan and S Regupathy, laid foundation stones for new medical infrastructure. A total of 21 new medical buildings that were built at a cost of 7.62 crore were inaugurated, and the foundation stone was laid for 11 more medical building projects estimated at 9.8 crore.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
19 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
New Covid-19 variant causes sore throat that feels like 'razor blades': Everything to know about NB.1.8.1 aka Nimbus
The variant, NB.1.8.1, has been informally dubbed 'Nimbus' and causes a severe sore throat that's been likened to 'razor blades'. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is monitoring it, as this latest mutation of the contagious virus already makes up over 10 percent of cases in Asia, Salon said in a June 11 report. The portal added that NB.1.8.1 has now been detected in multiple countries, including the US and Canada. Also read | Covid-19 comeback: Here's why coronavirus is spreading again and new symptoms you should watch out for The Covid-19 variant NB.1.8.1, also known as Nimbus, is a descendant of the Omicron family and has been classified as a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) by the WHO. To mitigate the spread of NB. 1.8.1, it's essential to practice good respiratory hygiene, maintain social distancing, and follow public health guidelines. Salon reported that this strain causes 'razor blade throat' or a severe sore throat. Other symptoms include flu-like symptoms such as congestion, fatigue, a mild cough, fever, and muscle aches, and more infrequently diarrhoea and nausea, The Independent said in a June 10 report. Per that portal, WHO says global risk is 'currently low, and existing Covid-19 vaccines are considered effective in preventing severe disease'. Salon said that Nimbus has recombined genetic material from other strains three times – although the process of recombination is a natural process of viruses trying to evolve to survive among the population, recombination events are concerning because each time a virus does so, it has the potential to evolve into something that is more infectious or causes more severe disease. The portal quoted Dr Rajendram Rajnarayanan of the New York Institute of Technology campus in Jonesboro, Arkansas, as having said that one of these mutations in Nimbus allows it to evade the immunity we have built against the virus from prior infections, so transmissibility might be slightly higher. Dr Rajnarayanan also said: 'We haven't seen a big surge in emergency departments due to Covid-related conditions and respiratory things in this term yet. We have to wait and watch.' Dr T Ryan Gregory, an evolutionary and genome biologist at the University of Guelph in Canada, added, 'We learned from Omicron that high transmissibility can cause as much damage as high per infection virulence, and at this point it is not just acute severity that is of concern, but longer-term impacts of repeated infection.' Such impacts include conditions like 'long Covid', in which the symptoms of Covid-19 last for months or years, often disabling patients, the report added. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
The Hindu
31 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Full arrangements to handle COVID situation, says U.P. government
Uttar Pradesh government on Wednesday (June 11, 2025) said that full arrangements had been made to handle the COVID cases in the state. Speaking to the media U.P. Deputy CM and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak added all necessary preparations had been made for oxygen plants and activating hospitals across the state. 'There is no need to panic. Analysts have observed it is limited to cold and fever. Only serious patients and the elderly need to be cautious. Our government made full arrangements to tackle the situation. Major reviews to check preparedness are being conducted at every level. we have ensured all necessary preparations in oxygen plants and hospitals,' said Mr. Pathak, in Lucknow, speaking to the media. Last month, U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also conducted review of the health department issuing directions to step up preparedness in case of any spike in cases. Earlier on May 28, the state government issued an order to keep more than 2,000 employees who worked during the previous COVID time in permanent service with government hospitals directed to accommodate them on priority basis. Covid cases are on the rise across the country with India reported 6,815 active COVID-19 cases, dated June 10..
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
COVID-19: Isolation beds kept ready in Kalyan-Dombivli civic hospitals
Thane, Amid the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation in Thane district has kept 15 isolation beds ready at two civic hospitals to meet any urgency, officials said on Thursday. Maharashtra reported 107 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, taking the total of viral infections detected in the state so far this year to 1,700, as per the public health department. Two more deaths of COVID-19 patients also were recorded in the last couple of days, taking the toll since January to 21, an official release on Wednesday said. Of the new infections, 34 were recorded in Mumbai, one in Thane district, seven in Thane Municipal Corporation limits, five in Navi Mumbai, one in Kalyan Municipal Corporation, four in Pune district, 44 in Pune Municipal Corporation, seven in Pimpri Chinchwad, one in Sangli, two in Sangli Municipal Corporation and one in Nagpur Municipal Corporation, it said. As part of COVID-19 preparedness, 10 isolation beds have been kept ready at the Bai Rukmini Bai Hospital and five at the Shastri Nagar Hospital, and RT-PCR and antigen testing kits are available, KDMC Commissioner Abhinav Goyal told reporters. "People should report symptoms promptly and not panic," he said. On monsoon preparedness, he said a 24x7 emergency control room is operational at the municipal headquarters, with deputy commissioner-level officers on night duty. Emergency rooms have also been activated in ward offices, with specially assigned multi-departmental teams. An NDRF team has already arrived to coordinate disaster response and awareness, the official said. Reaffirming the civic body's commitment to quality education, Goyal said the KDMC will launch five semi-English schools from the academic year 2025-26. "To ensure quality education, a guardian officer has been appointed for every municipal school," he added. The civic body also unveiled initiatives under the BaLA method, introducing mural-based learning and improving school infrastructure, including repairs, furniture and timely distribution of books, uniforms and essentials. Under the "Nipun" programme, primary education will be prioritised, with digital quality monitoring through the Vinoba Bhave App and regular inspections by guardian officers, the civic body said.
