The Public Health and Preventive Medicine (TNDPHPM), on May 20, issued an advisory assuring the public that there is no need to panic regarding the current COVID-19 situation. Dr. T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of TNDPHPM, clarified that there is no pandemic or public health emergency, and the virus’s presence is akin to thousands of other prevalent viruses.
“The public needs to understand that the COVID virus has not been eliminated and does not need to be. Thus, it will recur from time to time and can be managed,” Dr. Selvavinayagam stated. He emphasised key factors to consider: who is being affected, the effects, intensity, and mortality rate.
Highlighting the minimal impact in Tamil Nadu, he noted that out of a population of 7.8 crore, only 10 people are currently affected, indicating a very low infection percentage. Currently, there are no advisories from the WHO or the Central government.
Both state and central governments are actively monitoring the situation through the Department of Public Health. Case information is publicly accessible via www.ohip.mohfw.gov.in, with data collected from over 4000 affiliated institutions. Additionally, through ‘Project MIST,’ institutes like ICMR, NIE, and the Department of Public Health are conducting sentinel surveillance in four districts, monitoring all Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases to ensure no cases go unnoticed.
Dr. Selvavinayagam affirmed Tamil Nadu’s readiness, stating, “Tamil Nadu is prepared with all facilities and amenities to handle any necessity. We are also equipped with the necessary transport facilities.” He assured that in the event of any future calamity, the public would be duly notified, reiterating the current lack of need for panic.
