99% ‘Kumbh returnees’ test positive for COVID-19; 22 pilgrims untraced

Bhopal: As India continues to fight against the second wave of COVID-19, another shocking case has been reported from Madhya Pradesh where 99 per cent of Kumbh returnees from Haridwar has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Amid fears that the ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar could be a super-spreader of COVID-19, out of 61 returnees, at least 60 pilgrims have tested positive for the virus.According to inputs from Times Now reporter Govind Gurjar, not all these returnees are from Kumbh Mela and the number may vary, as far as the total tally is concerned. He also adds that it is quite difficult to find if these people have returned from Kumbh.

The Kumbh Mela, which is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world drew flak as many Kumbh returnees tested positive for the virus in various states of the country, thus increasing the caseload. In the wake of rising COVID-19 cases, many states mandated the COVID-19 test or quarantine for the returnees from Kumbh.

14-day quarantine mandatory in Delhi

In Delhi, a 14-day mandatory quarantine was ordered for the Kumbh returnees. The government also warned of strict action against those returnees who withhold information about their travels.Gujarat, among other states, had made the RT-PCR test mandatory for those returning from Kumbh as devotees could be seen violating social distancing norms as well.

COVID cases in Madhya Pradesh

The cases are spiraling at an alarming rate in Madhya Pradesh as the state saw 12,379 new COVID-19 cases, 102 deaths in the past 24 hours.With this addition, the total tally of infection now stands at 5,75,706. The state is now left with 88,511 active cases. A total of 14,562 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours.

With inputs from Times Now

(This story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)