CHENNAI: The number of fresh cases in Tamil Nadu dropped below the 16,000-mark for the first time in 45 days on Friday as the second wave continued to ease.
Barring Kallakurchi, all other districts reported a fall in daily cases over the last one week.
“Even in Kallakurichi, the difference is shrinking,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan.
At the end of the day, the state had 1.74 lakh people still under treatment after 29,343 patients were discharged and 15,759 fresh cases were admitted.
The cumulative toll mounted to 28,906 with 378 deaths recorded on Friday.
Coimbatore again had the most fresh cases at 2,056 followed by Erode with 1,365.
Chennai reported 1,094 new cases.
Ariyalur reported 105 new cases – the lowest in the state.
Public health officials say the battle is still not over as despite the decline cases remain high.
However, the weekly average test positivity rate (TPR) has come down steadily.
On June 1, the Centre had suggested that for sustained opening of districts, the seven-day average TPR should be less than 5%.
At that time, the state average was18%, with TRP between 38% and 9.4% across districts.
This week, the average TPR has dropped to 11%.
“The test positivity is 5% or below in at least three districts,” said director of public health Dr TS Selvavinayagam.
While Tiruvallur reported TPR of 5%, Madurai had 4.4% and Kancheepuram 3.8%.
Chennai was inching close to 5%.
The decline in deaths has been slower compared to fall in cases.
“The fall ,however, has been steady,” said health minister Ma Subramanian.
On Friday, Nilgiris was the only district that did not report deaths.
Chennai reported 59 deaths, Coimbatore 31 and Cuddalore 22.
At least 14 districts reported more than 10 deaths each.
With reports of a third wave coming from countries such as the UK, the state is adding more beds, particularly oxygen beds across districts.
The state has also stocked up adequate medicines.
“Vaccinations are being given based on availability and priority.
The state is negotiating with the Centre for more vaccines,” the health minister said.