COVID-19: 32% developed antibodies, hospitals resume outpatient services
On October 22nd, the city recorded 833 new COVID cases while 13 patients succumbed to the disease. The total number of active cases in Chennai stands at 11,107.
The results of the second serological survey have been published. It revealed that of 6,389 samples tested, 2,062 (32%) were positive for the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 virus.
As the total number of cases is seeing a downward trend in the city, the number of containment zones has come down. There current number stood at 18 as on October 23rd. The city had 70 such zones in the first week of October.
In several state-owned hospitals, outpatient services and elective surgeries have resumed after a few months. This has resulted in a rise in the number of people seeking treatment. The Rajiv Gandhi Government Government General Hospital (RGGGH) is consulting 7,000 to 8,000 outpatients every day. The Government Stanley Medical College (SMC) Hospital recorded 4,000 outpatients and the Government Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital saw around 2,500 to 3,000 out patients per day since resumption of OP services.
Source: The Hindu
NGT forms committee to evaluate Muttukadu
The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) comprising Justice K Ramakrishnan and expert member Saibal Dasgupta directed the formation of a joint committee to evaluate the degree of degradation caused to the backwaters in Muttukadu. This action comes on the heels of reports that several banks of the lake had mixed waste and was getting converted into landfills. The depth of the backwaters has reduced to three feet from 30 feet.
The bench has asked the committee to consider exploring choices such as garbage lorries fitted with GPS technology and setting up CCTVs for monitoring scientific waste disposal in Muttukadu, Padur and Navalur panchayat limits. The expert committee has been directed to file a detailed factual and action taken report by December 23rd. It is to be noted that there is no designated dump yard in Muttukadu, Padur and Navalur limits that has resulted in the illegal disposal of waste in the area.
Source: The New Indian Express
GCC issues directions to commercial shops
Early this week, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) sealed Kumaran Silks in T Nagar for failing to adhere to the COVID distancing norms. Following this incident, the civic body has given following directions to shop owners:
- Phased entry
- Allocation of one floor for seating facility
- Traffic regulation
GCC Commissioner G Prakash has stated that the civic body will close the shop upon violation of the norms. Special teams have already been formed to supervise stores, malls and showrooms. The officials have been instructed to conduct meetings with store owners for creating awareness ahead of the festive shopping season.
Source: The Times of India
SWD project nearing completion without a map of the network
With the work of stormwater drain (SWD) project worth Rs 440 crore nearing completion, it has been reported that the corporation has been carrying out the work without a map of the network. The engineers, who are executing the work use the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited’s (TNUIFSL) detailed project report and are unaware if the drains are interlinked. The agency has not shared the detailed drawings with the civic body yet.
Further, the project is micromanaged as it is implemented at the ward-level and an engineer and contractor are in-charge of the execution. The Assistant Engineer is entrusted with the duty to carry out the work in his capacity. In light of such gaps, the Corporation now plans to appoint a consultant to evaluate the project and prepare a map.
Source: The Times of India
[Compiled by Bhavani Prabhakar]