With a Siddha ‘add-on’ therapy to allopathic treatment at a government COVID-19 care centre here giving encouraging results, the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) will soon commence a study on 60 coronavirus patients at Vysarpadi in the city.
READ | CCRS to begin study on prophylactic use of Siddha in treating Covid-19
The new clinical trial aims to bring out the efficacy of the Siddha group of medicines and ‘Kabasura kudineer’ as prophylactic designed to treat or prevent COVID-19.
Also Read | Expert committee had advised against lockdown
O Raja, the brother of Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. He is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Madurai.
Also Read | Watch: Former Tamil Nadu MP kicks cop when asked for e-pass at checkpost
Amid outrage over the custodial deaths of a father-son duo at Thoothkudi police station, the Tamil Nadu police on Monday removed 80 police officers serving in the Trichy range for want of ‘interpersonal skills’ in dealing with the public.
In a Facebook post, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Trichy Range) V Balakrishnan said the officers will be gradually reintegrated into their regular duties only after they complete a specially designed course to improve the way they deal with the public.
“We are removing 80 police personnel in Trichy police range who need behavioral correction to improve their Interpersonal skills. They are taken off the duties involving direct public contact as their track record in that aspect is found wanting. They will be gradually reintegrated into regular duties only after completing a specially designed course with CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) with component to improve the way they deal with the public,” the DIG wrote on his Facebook page.
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Tamil Nadu Minister for Higher Education K P Anbalagan has tested positive for COVID-19. A statement released by Miot Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment said that the minister had developed a mild cough yesterday and his second sample tested positive for the virus. His condition is said to be stable and all vital parameters are normal.
Supreme Court Advocates-On-Record Association (SCAORA) has condemned the alleged custodial deaths of Jeyaraj and his son Bennicks in Sathankulam near Thoothukudi. Terming the custodial torture and deaths as 'crimes against humanity', the SCAORA in a statement urged the authorities to take strict action against the officers who were responsible for deaths of the duo and opined that there is a need for the implentation of police reforms to prevent such incidents and maintain the Rule of Law.
Former Tamil Nadu MP K Arjunan was caught on camera assaulting a police officer after he was asked to show his e-pass while driving through a checkpost in Salem district.
A video of the incident has surfaced online, showing the former Dharmapuri MP and police personnel in a heated argument. Arjunan is seen losing his cool, verbally abusing the cops and even trying to kick one of the officers while others around try to bring the situation under control.
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Following cuts in the salaries of transport corporation workers, the Confederation of All Trade Unions in Transport Corporation is planning to hold an indefinite protest from July 1. When the management had deducted the salaries of workers in May, the unions had gone on strike on May 31, following which the management had promised to address the issue. However, with the management deducting salaries for the second month in a row, the unions have planned a strike, with employees wearing masks and adhering social distancing norms, to highlight the failure on the part of the management to uphold their promise.
Over the past 24 hours, 18 people succumbed to COVID-19 in Chennai. As of 8 am today, four deaths were registered at Government Super Specialty Hospital in Omandurar Estate, three in Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, nine in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, one in Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital and one in a private hospital in the city.
COVID-19 cases in Chennai have crossed 5,000 in five of the city’s 15 zones. According to data released by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), Royapuram (Zone 5) leads the tally with 7881 cases, followed by Tondiarpet (Zone 4) with 6359 cases and Teynampet (Zone 9) with 6195 cases. Anna Nagar (Zone 8) comes fourth with 6033 cases, followed by Kodambakkam (Zone 10) with 5827 cases.
The Madras High Court on Monday initiated criminal proceedings against Thoothukudi ADSP D Kumar and DSP C Prathapan and constable Maharajan for making a disparaging remark against the Kovilpatti magistrate who had gone to the Sathankulam police station to conduct an enquiry. Taking that into account, the Thoothukudi police department today suspended constable Maharajan and the other two senior officers are kept on wait iist. As per the latest reports, all three accused police officers have appeared before the Madras High Court and the proceedings are underway.
On Monday, the expert committee constituted by the Tamil Nadu government advised against the extension of the lockdown in the state. The committee, however, suggested that the restrictions be increased in any areas or zones where health indicators were not convincing.
After taking part in the meeting chaired by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, National Institute of Epidemiology deputy director Dr. Prabhdeep Kaur said the state government will make a decision on restrictions based on the district-level situation. “A lockdown is a blunt instrument; it is not a solution at all times,” she said while addressing reporters in Chennai.
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Tamil Nadu Monday reported 3,949 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the state’s tally beyond 86,000. With 62 deaths in the past 24 hours, the state’s death toll reached 1,141. Among the deceased, 11 had no comorbidities. A total of 2,212 persons were discharged following treatment, there are still 37,331 active cases in the state.
Chennai recorded its sharpest single-day spike with 2,167 cases. The capital city of Tamil Nadu now has 55,969 cases till date. Apart from Chennai, Madurai (303), Chengalpet (187), Thiruvallur (154), Vellore (144), Trichy (87) recorded the maximum number of cases.
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A total of 52 flights will fly between Chennai and major cities today. There will 26 arrivals and 26 departures at the Chennai International Airport.
Good morning!
Welcome to the live blog from Chennai where we bring to you the latest updates on COVID-19, lockdown in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram and Madurai, relaxed lockdown across Tamil Nadu and more from Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Follow the blog to stay up to date with the state in real time.
With number of cases touching 82,275, Tamil Nadu government on Monday extended lockdown in the state till July 31 as coronavirus cases in the two cities touched a new high. The southern state has the second highest number of cases, only after Maharashtra, among the Indian states.
In news from Puducherry, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on Monday said that the police should refrain from unncessarily stopping motorists and asking them to show vehicle documents. The Chief Minister made the statement while addressing reporters over the alleged harassment of the pubic by the traffic police.
"The police can however penalise the motorists for not using masks or not maintaining social distancing as per lockdown norms. Police should function as friends of the people, not as their enemies," he said.
The Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) will begin a study on the use of Siddha to treat COVID-19 patients at Vyasarpadi in Chennai. Currently, around 60 patients are receiving Siddha therapy in addition to allopathic treatment at Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College in Vyasarpadi.
The study aims to bring out the efficiency of Siddha and the herbal concoction, Kabasura Kudineer to treat or prevent coronavirus. The director general of CCRS said that they are waiting for the number from the Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI) to begin the trial from next week.
The study is along the lines of the directive issued by the Union Ayush Ministry and with the consent from the Tamil Nadu government.
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O Raja, the brother of Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has tested positive for COVID-19. He is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Madurai.
The expert committee which is advising the Tamil Nadu government in containing the spread of COVID-19 has stated that there is no need to implement a full lockdown in Tamil Nadu. "We informed the government that the virus is spreading in the state because of public transport. We have asked the state to step up measures where the number of cases are more", said the committee.
The committee added that even the medical team has not suggested a complete lockdown. "The spread of the virus has been minimised in Chennai because of the lockdown. We have advised that the same measures being followed in Chennai be implented for districts with high cases in Tamil Nadu", added the committee.
COVID-19 has crossed the 5000-mark in five zones in Chennai, with Royapuram having the highest number of cases with 7659 cases.
Following rumours about legendary playback singer S Janaki’s demise, family members of Janaki have said that she is “well and healthy” after undergoing a minor operation.
This is not the first time rumours surrounding the singer’s death has made the news.S P Balasubrahmanyam, Mano and Manobala among others too took to social media to dismiss rumours about Janaki’s demise. They urged everyone to not spread rumours.
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Despite operating over 50 flights a day since domestic flights resumed operations last month, Chennai International Airport has recorded a footfall of only 1.4 lakh flyers till date. The airport generally receives a footfall of almost 15 lakh passengers every month.
So far, the passengers who have travelled by flights to and from the Chennai airport are those returning home after being stranded in Chennai and other cities during the lockdown and families and individuals travelling for emergencies.
DMK MP Kanimozhi distributed face masks with '#JusticeForJeyarajAndFenix' printed on them to people in Thoothukudi district.
On Friday, DMK MP Kanimozhi had written a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) urging them to investigate and initiate necessary action against the officials responsible for the custodial death of two persons in Thoothukudi. The deceased were identified as Jayaraj (59) and his son Bennix (31).
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The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has forecast light to moderate rainfall in parts of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry today.
A total of 54 flights will fly between Chennai and major cities today. There will be 27 arrivals and 27 departures at the Chennai International Airport.
Owing to a complete lockdown in Chennai on Sunday, the retail prices of vegetables doubled, adding to customers' woes amid the pandemic. According to vegetable vendors, the rise in prices is due to rising transportation costs, reduced arrivals and rainfall in other districts of Tamil Nadu.
Currently, the price of one kg of tomato is Rs. 45 to 50, potato is priced at Rs. 50 to 55 per kg, while garlic and beans are priced at Rs. 300 and Rs. 150 respectively.
Good morning!
Welcome to the live blog from Chennai where we bring to you the latest updates on COVID-19, lockdown in Chennai, Thiruvallur, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram and Madurai, unlock phase 1 and more across Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Follow the blog to stay up to date with the state in real time.