Tamil Nadu registers 17 new COVID-19 cases, tally now at 67

As many as 17 people tested positive for coronavirus in Tamil Nadu, taking the total number of infected cases to 67, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said here on Monday (March 30).

The Chief Minister added that of these 67 people, four have recovered and one died.

Addressing a press meet, Palaniswami said this is the highest so far in a single day. The tally, which stood at 50 on Sunday, saw fresh cases from Erode, Chennai, Madurai, and Karur districts in Tamil Nadu.

The new cases include 10 people from Erode, Palaniswami told reporters at the Secretariat, adding that additional personal protective equipment like N-95 masks for the health personnel have been ordered. “The 10 men from Erode have a travel history to Delhi,” he said.

He also said over 1,000 people had attended a conference in New Delhi, leading to the spike in the number of cases in Erode. The conference was conducted by the Tableeghi Jamath in Nizamuddin, New Delhi.

The chief minister added that five new cases have been recorded in Chennai, two in Madurai and one in Karur district.

The Chief Minister further said migrant workers stranded in Tamil Nadu have already been provided food and shelter apart from medical help, he said.

“The only solution to this is social distancing. We are now in Stage 1 and stage 2. The media has to help us spread this message. This is a matter of life. People don’t know about this. We have been giving messages to increase awareness,” Palaniswami said.

(With inputs from agencies)