The state of Tamil Nadu has reported with 49 fresh cases tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) in its territory on Saturday that had put the total number of affected cases to 1,372 in the state so far including the active, recovered, and deceased patients. The current reporting had seen a decrease in the number of fresh cases than what it had recorded on Friday. 

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Vijayabaskar has addressed the reporters on Saturday during which he put out the latest developments concerning the outbreak in the state. He said that the state has tested 35,036 samples so far of which 1,323 cases were positive as of Friday. 

49 positive cases reported in the state today. The total number of positive cases in the state stands at 1372. A total of 82 people were discharged today: C Vijayabaskar, Tamil Nadu Minister for Health and Family Welfare #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JR8Pwnw8ed

— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2020

On Saturday, the state has reported 49 fresh cases taking the total number to 1,372. According to the reports, the state has been recording with an increase in recoveries and discharges for the past few days although the affected numbers have been one of the highest in the country. On Friday, it has recorded 103 discharges, the highest in the state so far.

The Health Minister stated that '82 people have been recovered and discharged from the hospital on Saturday with no fresh fatalities and the death toll currently stands at 15 through which the mortality rate stands at 1.1%. The total number of discharges had increased to 365 so far'. 

After accounting for the steep rise in the first two weeks of April with an average of 60 to 70 cases per day, the state has been reporting less number of positive cases for the past few days. The Minister further said that the state has got the Center's permission to install three additional Coronavirus testing labs.

As of Saturday evening, the state has reported 1,372 cases positive for the virus of which 992 are active patients, 365 have recovered - 82 recoveries in a single day, and 15 patients have succumbed to the virus. On Friday, the state has received the first batch of the Rapid testing kits from China to enhance the testing capabilities as it has been reeling to stem the spread of the virus. So far, the state has 36,000 rapid testing kits - 24,000 from China and the rest from the Central government.