The highly transmissible BA.5 variant now accounts for 65% of cases with its cousin BA.4 contributing another 16%. The variants have shown a remarkable ability to get around the protection offered by infection and vaccination.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin directed officials to organise awareness campaigns underlining the need to follow Covid-19 protocols like wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.
Tamil Nadu Health minister Ma Subramanian said out of the 150 samples collected from the state, 12 have tested positive for the Omicron subvariants– BA.4 and BA.5– of the coronavirus.