Tamil Nadu: 18 suspected Omicron patients discharged | Coimbatore News – Times of India

CHENNAI: As many as 18 out of the 34 Covid-19 patients, who were infected by the new Omicron variant, have been discharged from hospitals.
All the remaining active cases, who had a S-gene drop and suspected to be infected with Omicron, are undergoing treatment. This included actor Vadivelu and some members of his film crew, who returned from the UK recently.
Chief minister M K Stalin on Sunday inspected infrastructure, amenities and availability of medical oxygen here to tackle the Omicron strain. Around 1.15 lakh beds are ready, and steps are being taken to create another 50,000 beds if warranted, said an official release.
In Tamil Nadu, 610 tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday — this was marginally higher than the numbers reported in the last two days. Chennai topped the chart with 171 new cases. With ten more people dying, TN’s death toll increased to 36,735. But the state has received applications from 42,600 people for the CM’s ex-gratia of Rs50,000 for every covid victim. The government claims that 20,900 have received this amount till date. It has spent Rs104 crore towards this.
As far as vaccination is concerned, more than 17.3 lakh people got inoculated through the state’s 16th mega vaccination camp on Sunday. Among them, nearly 70% got their second doses. TN still has more than 90 lakh people who are still due for their second dose.
The release said that 58% of the state’s vaccine-eligible population have got their first dose and 86% were fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, the government is gearing to begin administration of booster doses for frontline workers and vaccination for children (aged 15 to 18). Health minister Ma Subramanain said TN has over 1.4 crore frontline workers and they will start getting booster shots from January 10.
For children (15-18 age), health officials will vaccinate them at their respective schools and special camps.

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