As Tamil Nadu has been seeing a rapid decrease in the number of fresh cases of Covid-19 across the state, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ma Subramanian, has assured that the state government was fully prepared to combat a third wave of the viral infection, if it were to happen.

In response to MLA and former Health Minister C Vijayabaskar's concern over a potential third wave of Covid-19 hitting the country as predicted by the AIIMS director, the minister reportedly said, "Hospitals have been equipped with oxygen cylinders, oxygen plants and generators. The chief minister was also reviewing the preparedness for the third wave on a daily basis. We added 79,618 beds in 45 days. A 250-bedded paediatric ward has come up in the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children in Egmore. Covid cases fell to 7,427 on Monday from 36,184 (on May 21). The infection will be completely stopped in a few days, not weeks."

Viralimalai MLA and former health minister C Vijayabaskar had earlier said, "Whether we get or not, let us be ready with strengthened infrastructure, additional procurement and recruitment of doctors and nurses. We have 1.71 crore non-vaccinated people below 18 years and even if 10% of them land in hospitals, we will have two lakh paediatric cases. We need a minimum of one lakh beds for children and an equal number for parents accompanying children."