Tamil Nadu government on Saturday issued a new media bulletin regarding the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic. In the latest data released, 4,807 fresh positive cases have been recorded on July 18, which is the biggest spike to date in the state for a single day, taking the total number of cases to 1,65,714. The data also shows the total number of active COVID-19 cases including those in isolation is 47,782 around the state as on today.

Chennai has reported 1,219 fresh coronavirus positive cases taking the district's total to 84,598 cases. The past few days have shown a substantial drop in the number of new positive cases in the city despite still being the worst-hit in the state. As for the district that has witnessed a sharp increase in the number of cases, Thiruvallur, today recorded 370 new cases, taking the district's total 3,266 cases. Of late, Madurai, which had seen a sudden spike in the number of cases, had recorded 185 fresh cases today, showing a significant improvement by the authorities in the district in bringing down the spread of the virus. Currently, Chennai city alone has 14,997 active cases, followed by Thiruvallur with 3,266 cases, while Madurai has 3,139 active cases overall with people in all districts currently undergoing home quarantine treatment.

The day has also witnessed 88 deaths across Tamil Nadu due to COVID-19, taking the state's casualty toll up to 2,403 persons. Today’s coronavirus death toll in the state is the highest ever in a single day to date. On the recovery front, improvement has been witnessed yet again as 3,049 patients were discharged over the last 24 hours taking the total to 1,13,856. 

The total number of samples tested today across in Tamil Nadu are 48,195, and is a smidge lower than yesterday's count by around 400 samples, with the overall total currently standing at 18,79,499. Likewise, the number of persons tested today are 47,179 with the total increasing up to 18,04,577. 

Below are the overall coronavirus statistics in Tamil Nadu on July 18: