Research scholar says coronavirus will spread in Chennai heat, TN closes borders with other states

Dr Pavithra Venkatagopalan, a scholar who has conducted extensive research in coronavirus, has said coronavirus will spread in Chennai heat.

“Many believe that coronavirus won’t spread in Chennai climate. But that’s wrong. When it can survive in human body temperature, it would survive Chennai’s heat conditions too,” she said.

Pavithra further stated the best way to prevent coronavirus is hand washing. “Clean your hands regularly to protect yourself from covid-19,” she added.

In yet another strong measure to control the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Tamil Nadu government has closed its inter-state borders with Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for vehicle traffic till March 31.

Vehicles carrying essential commodities like milk, petrol, diesel, vegetables, medicines, ambulance, gas cylinder and other goods will alone be allowed. However, people travelling in these vehicles will be subject to medical precautions.

Tamil Nadu government is trying to figure out a possible case of novel coronavirus’s community spread. There is a fear that a person, identified as Covid-19 positive patient, could be behind a possibility of a community spread.

The officials in Tamil Nadu are working towards mapping the places and zero in on people who could have come in contact with the Covid-19 positive patient.

The National Health Mission Tamil Nadu, part of the Health & Family Welfare Department, has launched a web portal – http://stopcoronatn.in/ to provide important updates on Covid-19 in the State.

The portal provides information about Covid-19; whom to contact; daily bulletin; health advisory; ‘important information’ and media gallery. There is also a link to self-reporting, in case if somebody has symptoms of Covid-19.

The state government said that from March 21 to 31, other than ambulances, only vehicles transporting essential goods, such as milk, petrol, diesel, vegetables, medicines, and LPG cylinders would be allowed across the borders with Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Private vehicles carrying people who had personal emergencies, like a death in the family, will also be allowed to cross the border.

Announcing the move, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said anyone entering the state will be allowed only after screening at the borders. The move has been taken to prevent further spread of COVID-19 which has so far claimed 4 lives in the country.

The Tamil Nadu government has also asked the Southern Railway to “considerably reduce” the number of trains coming from other states.