New Delhi: In the wake of the ensuing Kumbh Mela, the Centre has asked the Uttarakhand Government to take stringent measures to control the spread COVID19 in the state during the Kumbh in Haridwar.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) informed today that Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has written a letter to the State Chief Secretary, “strongly” highlighting the concerns raised by a high level central team in its visit to Uttarakhand.
The high level Central Team led by Director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had visited Uttarakhand on March 16 – 17, 2021, to review the medical and public health preparedness measures undertaken by the state for the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar.
The Union Health Secretary has expressed his concerns over the surge in COVID19 cases in more than 12 states during past few weeks, and the high probability of pilgrims from these states visiting Haridwar during the Kumbh Mela. “It has been noted that there is a potential of an upsurge in cases in the local population after the auspicious Shahi Snan days during the Kumbh Mela,” the MoHFW stated. The Secretary also noted that as per the report of the Central Team, 10-20 pilgrims and 10-20 locals are being reported positive every day and this positivity rate had the potential to rapidly turning to an upsurge in cases, given the expected large footfall during the Kumbh.
The Centre has also told the State Government that the daily testing numbers reported in Haridwar (i.e.50,000 Rapid Antigen Tests and 5,000 RTPCR tests) are not enough to effectively offset huge number of expected pilgrim footfall. It advised to significantly increase the share of RTPCR tests as per the ICMR guidelines to ensure that the pilgrims and local population is appropriately tested.
The Union Home Secretary has also advised the State Government to undertake the following measures:-
- Follow scruplously the SOPs issued by MoHFW. Display signages to disseminate the main points of these SoPs.
- Increase awareness of self-reporting, especially among local population, in case of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19
- Set up system for generating early warning signals in areas with susceptible population by monitoring trend of ARI/ ILI cases through Emergency Operational Centres.
- Target significantly enhanced testing in potential high transmission areas.
- Continue periodic testing of frontline workers before and after auspicious snan days of the Kumbh.
- Ensure operationalization of adequate critical care treatment facilities.
- Effective risk communication, by using all forms of media platforms, for strict adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour.
- In case of surge in cases/super spreader events, promptly send samples for genome sequencing in consultation with NCDC.
The Union Health Secretary has also urged the Uttarakhand government to take a stock of the public health measures being undertaken by the State in consonance with the aforesaid recommendations of the Health Ministry.
– global bihari bureau
