The Tamil Nadu Government has appointed senior IAS officer Dr J Radhakrishnan as the new Health Principal Secretary. He has been the state Revenue Principal Secretary earlier, which will be looked after by him with additional charge. He replaces Dr Beela Rajesh who has been shifted to the Commercial Taxes and Registration Department. The change comes in the wake of an unrelenting surge in the Covid-19 cases in the state.<br />''<br />''<br />''For Dr Radhakrishnan, this is a comeback to the Health Department as he was in the post prior to his transfer to Revenue in October last year. He is experienced in handling relief activities following natural disasters like Tsunami and floods in the past.<br />'' <br />''Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, the total Covid-19 infection has crossed the forty thousand mark. 1982 new cases have been recorded today taking the total to 40,698. The new cases include 1479 in Chennai alone. The active caseload is estimated to be 18,281, while 1342 others returned home after recovery. Eighteen patients lost their battle against the disease leading to the total fatalities of 367.<br />'' <br />''AIR correspondent reports, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy has clarified that there is no move to further tighten the lockdown in Chennai. Unauthentic reports were making rounds in state that due to the surging number of Covid-19 cases in Chennai, a more stringent lockdown is being contemplated. When asked about it in a press meet at Salem today, the Chief Minister said it is a wild rumour and action will be initiated against those responsible for spreading the fake news. <br />''<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">He also said the date of reopening of schools in the state will be decided only after the Centre comes out with the set of guidelines on the subject. He said once the Covid-19 pandemic situation is brought under control, the dates would be announced. His reply is a reiteration of the state government's position before the Madras High Court today that there is no move to further toughen the lockdown in the state capital.</span><br />