Suspecting a possible spike in cases during Kumbh Mela, the Centre on Sunday asked the Uttarakhand government to scale up testing process as well as ensure adequate safety against the covid-19 imfection in Haridwar which will see pilgrims gathering in flocks to attend to holy event.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to Uttarakhand Chief Secretary after a high-level central team headed by NCDC director expressed concerns over the preparedness of the state ahead of the event.
According to a release from the Union Ministry, more than 12 states in India has witnessed the surge in covid cases during the past few weeks and pilgrims from these states may visit Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela.
It has been expected that the state might see a surge in number of cases during the three Shahi Snans that will take place in April. As of now, everyday approximately 10-20 pilgrims are testing positive for the coronavirus as per the date collected by the Central team.
The state has been told that daily testing number in Haridwar are not enough to effectively offset a huge number of expected pilgrim footfall. It has been asked of the government that the share of RTPCR must be increased.
Meanwhile, Uttarakhand CM Tirath Singh Rawat on Saturday said that the guidelines introduced by the Centre would be maintained during the Kumbh Mela to maintain covid appropriate behaviour.
