86 pc of COVID-19 cases in TN asymptomatic, says Tamil Nadu CM K Palaniswami

As many as 86 per cent of Tamil Nadu's COVID-19 cases have been found to be asymptomatic, and lockdown and related curbs have helped keep pandemic under check, Chief Minister K Palaniswami said on Sunday.

In a statement detailing various efforts taken to address COVID-19 situation since February, he also said that state's mortality rate was lowest when compared to even some foreign countries, besides or Indian states.

Tamil Nadu, he said, also had best recovery rate. "While pandemic has severely affected state's ecomy, various measures have been rolled out to put it back on track, and even some new investments have been attracted as a result," he added.

Tamil Nadu has so far reported 30,152 positive cases, including 251 deaths and over 16,000 people have been cured of virus.

"About 5.50 lakh tests have been conducted in Tamil Nadu till June 4, 2020. Through se tests we came to kw that 86 per cent of corona-affected persons had symptoms at all," Palaniswami said.

Soon after outbreak of coronavirus in China in January this year, state government started acting from February itself, he said. Measures included checks at railway stations and airports, sealing of borders and government implementing lockdown in March, he said and lauded people for abiding by curbs.

But for public support, situation could have been worse, Palaniswami added. So far, government has allocated over Rs 4,033 crore towards various efforts regarding COVID-19, even as health infrastructure has been strengned with measures, including appointment of more doctors and nurses, he said.

Increasing number of testing labs and hospitals in public and private sectors was also done. While re was bar on farming and related activities during this period, efforts were also taken to steer ecomy back on track. This included setting up of a high-level panel to attract investments, especially from firms leaving certain or countries.

As a result, investors from US, France and UK, among ors, had signed pacts recently worth Rs 15,000 crore that would bring in 47,000 job opportunities, Chief Minister added.

Sops to MSMEs like moratorium on repayment of debts and provision of new loans were or measures. Food security was also being ensured with government providing free essentials for three months starting April to over two crore ration card holders while poor, destitute and migrant workers were also being provided with food through community kitchens and Amma Canteens, he said.

government was taking all steps for people's welfare but y should also cooperate more in its fight against contagion, he said. "It won't be possible to prevent spread of disease with a lack of public support though government may impose curfew and or curbs," he said.

Personal precautions like wearing face mask, practising hand hygiene, duly following social distancing and staying indoors were important for this purpose, he added.

(Photo Credit: PTI)