In Tamil Nadu, the number of novel coronavirus testing laboratories is being more than doubled in its efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic. In addition to the 17 facilities that are currently operational including eleven in Government Hospitals, 21 more are being installed across the state. In addition, orders have been placed for one lakh rapid testing kits as well.<br />'' <br />'' Meanwhile, the number of Covid-19 patients in the state has risen to 621, with fifty new cases confirmed yesterday. One of the newly identified cases, who is a 67-year-old senior citizen from Chennai, died yesterday, taking the death toll to six.<br />'' <br />'' AIR correspondent reports, in its preparatory efforts, the Tamil Nadu Government has given orders for 2500 additional ventilators for use in its hospitals. Meanwhile, helplines keep ringing in various districts that receive around 1800 calls every day, seeking help and clarifications on Covid-19 disease. <br />''<br />''Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy has said fresh dates for holding the Tenth Standard public examinations will be decided after studying the situation once the curfew period is over. He has warned the private educational institutions of stringent actions if they ask for fees from students for the next academic year at this stage. <br />''  <br />