A 54-year-old man infected with coronavirus died at a hospital here in the early hours of Wednesday, the first death recorded in Tamil Nadu due to the contagion, state Health Minister C Vijayabaskar said. He also said the man had a medical history of prolonged illness with "uncontrolled diabetes". "Despite our best efforts, the COVID-19 positive patient at MDU, Rajaji Hospital, passed away... he had medical history of prolonged illness with steroid dependent COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), uncontrolled diabetes with hypertension," the health minister tweeted. On Tuesday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state rose to 18 after six more people, including three woman, tested positive for coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the state government has warned of strict action, including blocking of passports, against those individuals who have recently returned from abroad and continue to go out instead of adopting self-quarantine measures. Baskar said 15,298 people have gone abroad recently and their details have been sent to all district collectors and district superintendents of police. "These people are being monitored. We are pasting home quarantine stickers in the houses of the respective individuals and have also appointed home guards," he told reporters.
In a related development, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday directed various ministries and states to take effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba and Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla briefed the chief secretaries of all the states and Union territories on the measures to be taken from midnight Tuesday, when the country will be locked down for 21 days. Mishra mentioned that the present situation is "unique" as in case people do not maintain distance then there are chances of multiplying the infection even if few people assemble. This is not like an ordinary case of law and order, so it is the right time to take stringent action, Mishra said.
The cabinet secretary mentioned that inconvenience to the citizens should be minimised and people sensitised about exemptions. The supply of readymade and cooked food should be ensured and home deliveries facilitated as far as possible, he added. The home secretary shared the guidelines on the measures to be taken by various ministries and states for containment of the COVID-19 pandemic. The chief secretaries were also briefed about those exempted from lockdown, including doctors, medical staff, essential services, security and media.
In compliance of the NDMA order, the Union Home Ministry issued another order Tuesday under the National Disaster Management Act, directing central ministries and states to take effective measures for ensuring social distancing so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country, the statement said. The NDMA is chaired by the prime minister.
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