CHENNAI: With 2,913 fresh cases of Covid-19 on Saturday,  Fresh cases in Tamil Nadu dropped below 3,000 after 100 days (since April 1).

At least 3,321 people were discharged from the registry when the state reported 49 deaths on Saturday, pushing the case tally to 25.16 lakh and death toll to 33,371. “This is the time we have to be cautious. The positivity rate is steadily dropping but so is adherence to pandemic protocols,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan. “We have directed all districts to draw samples from people with symptoms and pick random samples in workplaces and crowded areas,” he said.

The state, which was reporting an average of more than 14,000 cases until mid-June, is now reporting fewer than 3,000 cases every day, but with increase in risk behaviour, the rate at which cases fall has slowed down. “People violate mask and social distancing norms in closed spaces such as restaurants and shopping complexes, sit close to each other even in public transport. It can increase risk of clusters,” he said. “The only way to reinforce proper public behaviour, besides fining them, will be constant reminders,” he said.

On Saturday, western districts Coimbatore, Erode and Salem recorded 338, 215 and 180 cases. On Friday, Coimbatore reported 349 new cases, Erode 230 and Salem 191. The districts also have most active cases — Coimbatore 4,108, Erode 2,997 and Salem 2,155.

While Chennai and Thanjavur reported 174 new cases each, Trichy reported 116 cases and Madurai reported 39. New cases in 30 districts were in double digits, at least 19 districts had new cases below 50. Ramanathapuram reported six cases, the least, followed by Perambalur (16) and Tenkasi (17). Dindigul which recorded 18 cases on Friday, logged 23 new cases on Saturday.

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