A 21 year-old student who returned from Ireland became Tamil Nadu's third coronavirus positive case while authorities said the second patient had not travelled to Nepal as suspected but ruled out community spread of the infection in the state.
The government said more than 1.9 lakh passengers have been screened as part of its fight against coronavirus in the state which is already under virutal lockdown with educational institutions, theatres, malls and resorts closed till March 31 as part of preventive measures.
The state reported its second positive case in two days with the student who arrived from Dublin on Tuesday being the latest to be affected by the virus.
"21 Yr (old) student from Dublin, Ireland tested positive for #Covid19. On his arrival on 17.3 (2020) @Chennai, he was screened & home quarantined.Yday he reported to RGGH with symptoms. Samples sent for testing yday,confirmed positive today," Health Minister C Vijayabaskar said in a tweet.
The man was stable and being treated in the isolation ward at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) here, he added.
While, the state's first confirmed coronavirus case, a 45-year-old man, has been discharged following recovery, a youth, who arrived here from Delhi by train, tested positive for the virus on Wednesday.
The preventive measures announced by the state government were welcomed by superstar Rajinikanth who requested for financial assistance to those livelihood may be affected during "this difficult situation."
Instructions have been given to screen passengers at the domestic airport terminal and an inspection will be done in this regard, he said adding "there is no community spread of the infection in Tamil Nadu."