Chennai, May 19 (IANS): As many as 688 persons tested positive for coronavirus in Tamil Nadu over the past 24 hours, taking the total tally to 12,448, said the State Health Department.

In a statement, the Health Department said 688 persons tested positive including those who came from Dubai (23), Maldives (1), Kuwait, Dubai and Malaysia (13 initially tested negative and later turned positive), Maharashtra (49) and Kerala (1).

Three Covid-19 patients lost their lives taking the total death toll to 84.

The number Covid-19 patients who were cured and discharged on Tuesday was 489 and the total is 4,895.

According to the government, a total of 10,333 samples were tested taking to total over 3.48 lakh to date. Testing of 887 samples is under process.

The state capital Chennai continued to see the highest number of infections at 552, taking the total tally to 7,672.

The number of infected children in the age group 0-12 went up to 747.

The total number of active cases in Tamil Nadu stands at 7,466.