Chennai, Jan 2 (FN Agency) As there has been steep rise in daily COVID positive cases which inched close to the 1,500 mark, and 121 people infected with Omicron variant, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma.Subramanian on Sunday said it can be assumed that the third wave has commenced in the State. Talking to reporters here after inaugurating the 17th mega vaccination drive at a centre, he said “we can assume that the third wave has begun and a sudden surge in the cases in the form of ‘Tsunami’ of Covid-19 is expected.”
Earlier this week, there were about 600 cases and it has now shown a three-fold increase, he pointed out, while stressing the importance of vaccination, wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing norms in public places. Mr Subramanian said 83.22 per cent of people have got their first dose of vaccination, while 58.82 per cent have taken both their doses. “In Chennai, 69 per cent of people have taken both the doses and more than five lakh people in the city are yet to get the first dose”, he said and added that till date 8.39 crore doses of vaccines have been administered in the State. About 96 lakh people in the State have not taken a single dose and 70 lakh have not taken their second dose,” he said.
On the increase in the number of Omicron variant cases, he said several Omicron cases has been turning negative within a few days of treatment and they could be monitored at home isolation. “If they are asymptomatic and tested positive for Covid-19 even after taking both the doses, they can remain in home isolation and will be monitored by a medical team”, Mr Subrmanian said, adding, the government will soon opt for telemedicine treatment also.