Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has expressed his fret over the distressing behaviour of people in the state during the lockdown and restrictions, that were imposed to beat the Covid-19 pandemic. Even as the state witnessing a surge in cases after the weeks-long decline, the Chief Minister said that people are not taking lockdown relaxations seriously. 

While speaking at an event after launching a Scarless Robotic liver Donor Surgery at Dr Rela Institute and Medical Center in Chrompet, Chennai on Thursday, MK Stalin has said that the state government's efforts to end the pandemic are getting delayed as some people are not taking the lockdown relaxations seriously. By citing that some people had found an opportunity to assemble in large numbers when the lockdown is relaxed, the Chief Minister has appealed to the non-governmental organizations and corporate hospitals to bring about a change in the mindset of the people and create awareness.

He said, "No matter how much awareness the government makes, some people don't realize the importance of lockdown relaxations. Due to this, the efforts to end the pandemic are getting delayed." The Chief Minister has asserted that his government is committed to providing quality health care to the people at an affordable cost. He further said that the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme will benefit the poor and it will help in motivating the donor to donate liver to their family member as the scars are negligible for them and also save lives. 

Stalin has also lauded the sacrifice made by doctors and nurses in the battle against the pandemic and added that their sacrifices should not go in vain. His statement has come hours ahead of the state's Covid-19 daily reporting in which the state had witnessed a marginal increase in the fresh Covid-19 cases. After recording a decline in fresh cases every day since May 21, Tamil Nadu on Thursday reported a spike in daily cases after 69 days. 

According to the state health department, Tamil Nadu has reported 1,859 fresh COVID-19 cases, 2,145 discharges, and 28 deaths on Thursday. Overall, the state has recorded 25,55,664 cases so far as of Thursday of which 21,207 are active, 25,00,434 have been discharged, and 34,023 had succumbed to the viral infection. Tamil Nadu has vaccinated 22,290,699 doses so far as of Thursday.