According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India’s coronavirus disease (Covid-19) caseload increased to 31,026,829 on Friday after 38,949 new cases were reported in the previous 24 hours. During that time, 542 people died and 40,026 people recovered from the viral disease, bringing the total death toll and recovery rate to 412,531 and 30,183,876 respectively. According to the health ministry’s update, active Covid-19 cases number 430,422, accounting for 1.39 percent of the total caseload.
According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India’s coronavirus disease (Covid-19) caseload increased to 31,026,829 on Friday after 38,949 new cases were reported in the previous 24 hours. During that time, 542 people died and 40,026 people recovered from the viral disease, bringing the total death toll and recovery rate to 412,531 and 30,183,876 respectively. According to the health ministry’s update, active Covid-19 cases number 430,422, accounting for 1.39 percent of the total caseload.
Despite the fact that daily infections in India are increasing slightly as the pandemic’s second wave continues, the arrival of the third wave is unavoidable. People flocking in large numbers to hill stations, tourist destinations, and market places without adhering to Covid-appropriate behaviour could prove to be super spreader events.
Apart from the aforementioned, pilgrimages can also prove to be super spreader events of Covid-19, according to a report by news agency Reuters. This is an oblique reference to the upcoming Kanwar Yatra, a Shiva devotee pilgrimage to Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to fetch Ganga water. On July 25, the festival will begin.
Uttarakhand decided to cancel the yatra on July 13 in order to avoid overcrowding in Haridwar, a lesson learned from hosting the Kumbh Mela, which turned out to be a super spreader event.
Despite fears of a massive spread of Covid-19, the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh has allowed the Kanwar Yatra to take place. The Supreme Court expressed its displeasure with the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to allow the annual pilgrimage on Wednesday. On Thursday, state health minister Jai Pratap Singh stated that during the yatra, all Covid-19 protocols will be followed. Thousands of devotees may find it difficult to follow social distancing, wear masks, and submit to Covid-19 tests, according to law enforcement officials in Uttar Pradesh, including the police.
