Current COVID wave is like a 'tsunami,' says Tamil Nadu official as state nears peak Through all efforts were being taken by authorities, full public cooperation is needed to tackle the pandemic of such huge proportions, he told reporters. Share Via Email | A+A A- Swab samples been collected from the passengers who arrived at Chennai Airport International Airport. (Photo | Ashwin Prasath, EPS) By PTI CHENNAI: The initial coronavirus wave wintessed last year was 'small,' but the current one was like a 'tsunami' and a pandemic of such huge proportions can be tackled only with full public cooperation, a top government official said here on Thursday.