On Friday, State Health Minister Mr. Ma Subramanian noted that the increasing incidences of conjunctivitis have pushed the state health department to set up an exclusive outpatient ward in the Regional Ophthalmic Institute in Egmore. Additionally, the health department has decided to set up screening camps in all 200 wards of the city, and some of the medical teams will also visit schools to screen students.

Dr. M. V. S. Prakash, Regional Ophthalmic Institute director, and senior ophthalmologist, added that since Monday, several hospitals in the city have started receiving at least ten patients in the outpatient ward with redness in one or both eyes along with complaints of itching and a gritty feeling, discharge that forms a crust in the night, and tearing.

He added that in the last two years, COVID restrictions, including hand hygiene and social distancing norms, had prevented the spread of conjunctivitis, but with fewer restrictions, cases are likely to increase. The infection is highly contagious, and the simplest way to prevent its spread is to isolate people with the infection. Hence, he advised that infected children should be asked to stay away from school, and adults should take off or work from home to prevent the spread. 

(Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/madras-eye-cases-of-conjunctivitis-increasing-in-chennai/articleshowprint/95299994.cms )