COVID On The Rise: As IIT Madras Tally Climbs To 30, Tamil Nadu Makes Masks Mandatory

Chennai: The COVID-positive tally at IIT-Madras campus rose to 30 with 18 more people contracting the coronavirus on Friday.

Though daily caseload in the state is still in two digits, the Tamil Nadu government doesn’t want to take a chance.

The state’s Health department announced that wearing face mask in public places has once again been made mandatory as a preventive measure to check the surge of COVID-19 cases.

Anyone found without a mask will have to shell out a penalty of Rs 500. Health secretary J Radhakrishnan has directed district collectors to monitor the situation.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu On Alert: 12 Students Test COVID-Positive At IIT Madras

Terming the spread as a ‘small cluster’, the Health secretary visited the campus for the second straight day along with other officials to oversee RT-PCR tests being carried out for those residing in the campus.

“We have instructed them (IIT) to isolate those who have given their samples until we get their results. Thermal and temperature checks are being done not just at the entrance but also inside the campus. When required, we are taking measures to shift the infected to the King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research,” Radhakrishnan said.

According to Health and Family Welfare minister Ma Subramanian, a majority of those who tested COVID-positive came from other states.

About 2 crore people are yet to be vaccinated in Tamil Nadu, hence a special mega vaccination camp will be arranged at 1 lakh places across the state on May 8, from 7 am till 7 pm, said the minister.

Two days ago, Delhi also made wearing mask compulsory with a fine of Rs 500 for any violation.