Kumbh Mela proves fatal as authorities report 1000 Covid-19 cases in two days

Last updated on April 19th, 2021 at 07:26 am

The Government of India gave its nod for the Holy practice of Kumbh Mela despite the increasing number of Covid-19 cases. The authorities had assured that all the safety measures will be followed in Haridwar, the city where Kumbh Mela is organised this year. But the latest reports show that in the last two days, there were 1,000 positive cases reported during the practice. 

On Tuesday, Uttarakhand’s Haridwar reported 594 new cases of coronavirus which gave a steep spike in the total number of cases in the city taking it to 2,812. Kumbh Mela is a religious practice where thousands of devotees gather to take a dip at the Ganges river and this time was no different. 

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On Monday, the city saw an active case load with 408 registered cases as people dipped into the river for the 13th day of Mahakumbh. This is a rising concern for the city as well as the state as Uttarakhand saw 1925 cases in the last 24 hours. 

The experts confirm and the number of devotees continues to increase in and around the ghats of Haridwar despite the severity of the pandemic that the whole country is facing. The country continues to see a rise in the infection rates in other states as well. Many of the states are running out of vaccine shots and beds for patients with severe side effects. 

Kumbh Mela will stretch for a month and as per the current situation nearly a million people have already gathered there to participate in this holy festival. On Monday, nearly a lakh gathered to take Shahi Snan, which is a ritualistic bath. This saw violation of many of the coronavors protocols such as wearing masks, social distancing among other things. People broke all the guidelines set by the Union Health Ministry in their attempt to take a dip in the Ganges. 

Other than devotees, Seers were also seen at the site, The seers represent 13 Akhadas and they offered prayers on behalf of their community at the jam-packed Mahakumbh Mela. Those who are attending the festival claim that they are not concerned with the coronavirus pandemic as the Uttarakhand government has made RT-PCR tests mandatory for all.