In the midst of reporting a sharp decline of fresh Covid cases and deaths that gave relief to the frontline warriors in Tamil Nadu, the state health minister has divulged that the battle with the pandemic is not yet over and the state will soon be bracing up the fourth Covid wave. The statement from the minister has come when the Union government has decided to relinquish the lockdown and containment measures from April in the backdrop of a nationwide downfall of the Covid cases. 

While addressing the reporters on Saturday - March 26, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian has expressed the possibility that the state would witness the fourth Covid wave in June. He cited the possibility based on the global trend where the Covid cases are increasing in several countries including China. By asserting about the fourth wave, the health minister further said that the Covid vaccination will be the only solution to curb the spread of the fourth wave. 

Tamil Nadu has done a record number of vaccinations to its people and the state has recently launched the vaccination drive for the children at the age of 12. The number of people receiving vaccines and boosters is increasing and the state health department has initiated a campaign to complete the inoculation of the second dose of the Covid vaccine to all the eligible people. 

The minister said that the 100% mark of administering the first dose has been achieved in six districts in Tamil Nadu. He further added that out of 55,30,900 vaccine-eligible people living in Chennai, 99% had received the first dose of the Covid vaccine while 81% has received the second dose. The health department is taking steps to cover the rest of the people through special vaccination camps. 

On the other hand, the experts have affirmed that India can manage the fourth wave with no major menaces as the most number of people have been vaccinated and they are aware of the containment measures and guidelines to curb the spread. The Union government has strongly advised the people not to bring down the guard of wearing masks and observing physical distancing in the albeit of having a complete relaxation from next month. 

According to the state health department, Tamil Nadu has reported 37 fresh Covid cases, 66 discharges, and zero deaths on Friday - March 25. The zero casualties and declining cases have been a trend in the state for the past few weeks. Overall, the state has recorded 34,52,612 Covid cases so far as of Friday of which 446 are active, 34,14,141 were discharged, and 38,025 had succumbed to the viral infection.