TN patient tests negative; state now free of coronavirus: Minister

The 45-year-old patient in Tamil Nadu, who had returned from Oman and had tested positive for coronavirus after the initial test, has tested negative following tests at National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune.

Tamil Nadu health minister Vijayabasker said now the state was coronavirus-free and hailed the state health department.

#Corona update: a good news for Our state, the Pt undergoing treatment at #RGGH is tested negative for Corona,this speedy recovery is possible only because of the meticulous treatment & expertise of #TNHealth to handle exigencies. As of now, #TN is CORONA FREE. #CVB @MoHFW_INDIA

— Dr C Vijayabaskar (@Vijayabaskarofl) March 10, 2020

The patient is being kept at RGG Hospital in Chennai for further observation and treatment.

The patient, a male aged 45 had returned from Muscat in Oman to India at the end of February. The patient a native of Kancheepuram was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) on March 5, for fever and cough.

Related news | TN reports first case of coronavirus, minister says not to panic

A senior official from the health department had earlier said that his samples were first tested at King Institute of Preventive Research and Medicine, Chennai, where it showed positive and so samples were sent to NIV Pune.

More than 50 centres across the country have been authorized to collect samples from patients suspected to be infected.

Several schools and offices, especially IT companies have been closed in many places, and employers are asking their staff to work from home.