Over 40 people employed at an IT company in Chennai's Rajiv Gandhi Salai tested positive for the novel coronavirus and the authorities have been directed to close the company down in the mean time or work with minimal staff.

Reports indicate that a Thuraipakkam resident had tested positive for Covid-19 a few days ago and his contact was traced back to the IT firm. While four more cases of the virus were initially reported, over 40 employees among 364 were later diagnosed with the viral infection. "The company has two branches in Kandanchavadi and Taramani. After 33 people tested positive in Kandanchavadi, we tested employees in their second branch, where seven persons tested positive. We have closed down both the offices," an official from the city corporation was quoted as saying. Tamil Nadu registered 1437 new positive cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases to 8,69,804. Among the cities, Chennai alone reported 532 fresh cases on Tuesday.

Requesting the public to continue to be cautious amid rising cases of Covid-19 across the city and the country, the official added, "The public must have the same amount of seriousness as they had when the first cluster was formed in the city. Mask observation in the city has come down drastically and social distancing has gone for a complete toss. The public must be wary to avoid the upward trend of cases."