Tamil Nadu's COVID-19 spike continues unabated, tally zooms past 31k

Adding over 8,000 infections in last eight days, Tamil Nadu's COVID-19 tally on Sunday shot past 31,000 mark, with a total of 269 deaths, and nearly 17,000 people getting cured of deadly virus.

A 20-year-old girl was among 18 fatalities on Sunday, even as daily cases touched a new high of 1,515 leading to a cumulative tally of 31,667 infections, according to a health department bulletin.

This is eighth consecutive day state has reported cases in excess of 1,000. As many as 16,999 people have been cured of virus so far, leaving 14,396 active cases, including those admitted to isolation wards.

Eighteen among 1,515 fresh cases were returnees from or states and foreign countries, while Chennai recorded a new high among districts with 1,155 COVID-19 cases, totalling 22,149, bulletin said.

20-year-old victim from neighbouring Vellore was admitted to a government medical college hospital on May 31 with a complaint of 'gestational hypertension'. She tested COVID-19 positive on June 6 and bread her last on same day due to 'acute renal failure-cardiorespiratory arrest', bulletin said.

As many as 11 people above of 60 years have succumbed to virus, and 15 of 18 deceased were from Chennai and suffering from various co-morbidities. Of total 269 deaths reported in state, 212 were from state capital.

Over 5.66 lakh tests have been conducted so far, with 15,671 on Sunday alone. Two private labs in Chennai have received d for conducting COVID-19 tests, taking total number of testing facilities to 76 in state.

(Photo Credit: PTI)