Chennai, May 31 (Reporter) Allaying fears of spike in COVID cases, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian appealed to the people not to panic as the variants were of less intensity. Talking to reporters after attending an event, he said the number of cases was very low this year. A total of 148 cases were reported in Tamil Nadu as of yesterday and it went up to 185 with 37 fresh cases emerging today, according to the statistics released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family welfare. Stating that the State Health Ministry was monitoring the situation round the clock and on a daily basis, Mr Subramanian said the spread of the viral disease is low this year, and there are no serious infections. All medical college hospitals in the State have been instructed to keep necessary medical facilities, manpower, medicines, and testing capacity ready as a precautionary measure, he said. A total of 99,425 beds have been kept ready across Tamil Nadu for the treatment of COVID patients. Though wearing of masks were not made mandatory, he appealed to the people to take all precautions and wear face masks while moving in crowded areas and maintain social distancing, besides following the SOPs like regular hand washing. He said those with symptoms of cough, cold, fever and respiratory problems, were advised to consult the doctors and wear face masks to prevent any possible spread. The Minister assured that the government was taking all necessary steps and there was absolutely no need to panic as only JN1, XEC variants were reported and no new variants has spread in the State. Stating that 91,583 cases were registered globally till date, Mr Subramanian said 1,800 cases were reported in India and in Tamil Nadu 293 cases in May of which 148 were active cases and were being monitored. Pointing out that the spread of COVID in the society this year was very less, he said no serious symptoms were noticed among those infected. Noting that one person affected by COVID had died due to co-morbidities in the State this year, the Minister said of the total cases reported in April, a total of 29 samples were sent to recognised labs in the state of which 19 were referred to the National Institute of Virology in Pune which confirmed that SARS Cov-2 variants like JN1, LF.7, NB.1.8.1, MV.1 AND BA.3 were found to the reason for the spread and they were of very less intensity. "No new variants were reported", he added. Meanwhile, in view of the increase in cases, the Directorate of Public Health has issued a communique to all the district authorities and municipal authorities to step up disease surveillance and implement proactive measures to ensure early detection, reporting, and response to cases of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI). It said District Surveillance Units should ensure consistent daily monitoring and reporting of ILI and SARI cases from all healthcare facilities in their jurisdictions. They should report any unusual clustering of cases, without delay, to the State Surveillance Unit to enable timely public health response. Once clusters are identified, close monitoring should be maintained and necessary follow-up actions must be carried out in coordination with field-level teams and Primary Health Centres. Field staff should be mobilised to promote public health messages within communities that included promoting hand hygiene, encouraging wearing masks in crowded places to reduce transmission, and maintaining cough etiquette and a safe distance from individuals showing symptoms of respiratory illness...////...