Chennai, May 11 (IANS): Tamil Nadu on Monday reported new highs in its coronavirus count with 798 more cases sending the tally to over 8,000 and six Covid-19 patients losing their lives.

In a statement issued here, the Health Department said 798 persons tested positive for coronavirus over the past 24 hours taking the tally to 8,002, while the total death toll has risen to 53.

The one positive news was the discharge of 92 Covid-19 patients from various hospitals, taking the total number persons who were cured of the ailment to 2,051.

According to the government, a total of 11,862 samples were tested taking to total to 2.54 lakh till date. Testing of 1,335 samples are under process.

Chennai continued to see highest number of infections at 538 followed by Tiruvallur (97) and Chengalpattu (90).

The number of infected children in the age group 0-12 went up to 427.

The total number of active cases in Tamil Nadu stands at 5,895.

Meanwhile Chief Minister K.Palaniswami flagged off five mobile X-ray vans which will go to a person's place and take a chest X-ray to detect contagious chest diseases and also Covid-19 related chest contagious diseases.

Citing the increasing Covid-19 cases in Chennai, Palaniswami requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to restart normal train operations to the city.