Over 2000 people including devotees have tested positive in the Holy city of Haridwar in Uttarakhand, which is hosting the month-long Kumbh Mela.
As of Thursday night, a total of 2,167 people from the Kumbh area have tested positive for COVID-19 between April 10 and April 15.
30 sadhus participating in the Kumbh Mela have also tested positive for COVID-19.
“Till now, 30 sadhus have tested positive for COVID-19. The cases are not in any specific akhada. There are cases in almost all the akhadas,” said Dr SK Jha, Haridwar Chief Medical Officer.
The Uttarakhand Chief Minister’s Office informed that among the COVID-19 positive patients who are from Haridwar have been sent to home quarantine, while those who came from outside are being admitted to hospitals.
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Dr Jha also informed that the COVID-19 patients who are in serious condition are being referred to AIIMS Rishikesh.
A major controversy has erupted over the decision of the Central and the Uttarakhand Governments to hold the Kumbh Mela at a time when the country is being hit hard by the second wave of COVID-19.
Medical experts and opposition leaders have been continuously warning of the event becoming “super-spreader”.
Despite the massive surge in number of COVID-19 infections in the Haridwar city itself, the State and the Central Governments are in no mood to call off the congregation.
Officials have said that despite a record surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Kumbh will continue till April 30.
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Meanwhile, India on Friday logged a record 2,17,353 daily COVID-19 cases as many states grappled with shortages of hospital beds, oxygen, medicines and vaccine doses.
Moreover, 1185 people in the last 24 hours have lost the battle with COVID-19.