No vaccine and oxygen shortage in Tamil Nadu, says C. Vijayabaskar, State Health Minister

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<strong>Despite seeing a major increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, Tamil Nadu had ruled out complete lockdown. Instead the State opted for strict restrictions and its diligent implementation. These include night curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and postponement of Class XII Board examinations.</strong></p>
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The State saw 75,116 cases yesterday as it also followed the first day of the night curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.</p>
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It was also decided to have complete lockdown on Sundays to come into effect this week and postponement of Class XII board examinations.</p>
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Following the Covid vaccine shortage, the State received six lakhs additional doses from the Centre. At present the State has 9.3 lakh doses. Out of the six lakh doses, Chennai and its surrounding districts got 1,83,190 doses.</p>
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Today, we received 6 lakh doses of Covid vaccine that shall be distributed across all vaccine centres. On behalf of Hon’ble CM, I thank Union Health Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/drharshvardhan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@drharshvardhan</a> Ji for expediting our request. I urge the public to get vaccinated & safeguard against Covid. <a href="https://twitter.com/RAKRI1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RAKRI1</a> <a href="https://t.co/C4kN8lmcCk">pic.twitter.com/C4kN8lmcCk</a></p>
— Dr C Vijayabaskar (@Vijayabaskarofl) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vijayabaskarofl/status/1384508674769506307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Stating that the vaccines had been distributed across all the centres in the State, the Tamil Nadu Health Minister, C Vijayabaskar thanked the Centre. “On behalf of the CM, I thank the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan for expediting our request.”</p>
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Countering the reports of short supply of oxygen, he clarified that the State has a 400-ton production capacity a day and now 240 tonnes are being used in a day. “Our storage capacity is 1,200 tonnes,” he said.</p>
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Emphasising on checking the spread of the pandemic, Vijayabaskar said, those returning from the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar will have to undergo RT-PCR test and also undergo home quarantine.</p>