The ongoing Kumbh Mela witnessed a large number of devotees, increasing the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 cases in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
The one month long holy event, which takes place once in 12 years has now become a major hotspot for the spread of the deadly virus. In the past 5 days, close to 1,700 people tested positive from Kumbh Mela.
Spread over 670 hectares covering parts of Haridwar, Tehri and Dehradun districts, including Rishikesh, the Kumbh Mela happens usually for more than 3 months. However, in the wake of COVID-19, the Kumbh Mela has been reduced to the duration of only one month. With such huge mass gathering and neglected COVID-19 norms, Haridwar’s Kumbh Mela is said to be the COVID-19 hotspot centre. The numbers of COVID-19 positive cases are also expected to surpass 2,000 as many sample’s test results are awaited.
According to sources, the Haridwar Medical Department conducted 2,36,751 tests for COVID-19 at the Kumbh Mela. Of which, the confirmed figure of 1,701 tested COVID-19 positive. The tests, which include both RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test reports, were conducted between the 10th of April till the 14th of April. The updated data was confirmed by Haridwar’s Chief Medical Officer Shambhu Kumar Jha.
In addition, so far close to 50 lakh people attended the event, especially the two Shahi Snans, held on the 12th of April and the 14th of April. With still days left for the Mela, the figures of devotees attending the Kumbh Mela are expected to reach 1 crore to 1.5 crores.
The last Shahi Snan is scheduled on the 27th of April, which is likely to be attended by more than 30 lakh people.
Meanwhile, due to the increasing number of cases, hospitals in Haridwar are witnessing a scarcity of beds for COVID-19 patients. Many people were even asked to shift to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh.
Stay tuned for further updates.
