Daily Covid case count crosses 400-mark

Coimbatore: Twenty-six areas in the district have been identified as micro-containment zones following samples of Covid-19 positive cases from these areas have shown ‘S’ gene dropout.

“Micro-containment zones have been declared around the places from where suspected Omicron variant cases have been reported. Transmissibility is expected to be more in these areas,” deputy director of health services Dr P Aruna said.

With an increase of nearly 100 positive cases in a day, the number of daily Covid cases has increased from 309 on Thursday to 408 on Friday in the district.

Samples of 13 positive cases have shown ‘S’ gene drop on the day. The district also registered two Covid deaths on Friday.

The areas from where these cases were reported have been declared as micro-containment zones. Dr Aruna said about 2-3 people from a family are testing positive, but the district is yet to witness area clusters so far. However, we can expect it in the coming days considering the transmissibility rate.

There has been a four-fold increase in the positive cases in the last four days. The doubling time of the Omicron variant is 1.5 to 3 days. “If one person is infected, it can reach up to 70 people at a fast pace. Considering the pace of spread in Coimbatore, possible Omicron cases cannot be ruled out especially when samples are witnessing ‘S’ gene drop,” a senior health official from the public health department said.

The vigil has been tightened in the check posts bordering Kerala. A few people who were found to be not fully vaccinated and without RT-PCR test certificates were not allowed to enter the district. District collector G S Sameeran said in a statement that the same will be continued in the coming days.

He asked people not to venture out in places of mass gathering unless it is very essential. Over 50% of the children in the age group of 15-18 have been vaccinated so far in the district. He also asked to make use of the mass vaccination drive on Saturday at about 1,000 places in the district.