India
Uttar Pradesh sees rise in COVID cases, officials urge protocol adherence
The state of Uttar Pradesh in India is currently facing a surge in active COVID-19 cases which have increased threefold in just 10 days. The number of active COVID-19 cases had reached 262 as of Monday, but officials have stated that almost all patients are recovering in home isolation with no major symptoms.
On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases this year, with 78 new cases reported in a single day, including 38 cases from Lakhimpur Kheri, where students and staff of a government residential school were found to be infected.
According to a spokesperson from the state government, there is currently one COVID-19 positive patient for every 10-lakh population in the state. Since the pandemic began, Uttar Pradesh has reported 21,28,582 COVID-19 cases.
विगत 07 दिनों में प्रदेश में लगभग 02 लाख 20 हजार टेस्ट किए गए और 265 कोविड पॉजिटिव मरीज पाए गए। प्रदेश में प्रति 10 लाख की आबादी पर 01 कोविड पॉजिटिव मरीज है। वर्तमान में 262 एक्टिव केस हैं और किसी की स्थिति गंभीर नहीं है। सभी घर पर स्वास्थ्य लाभ प्राप्त कर रहे हैं।
— Yogi Adityanath Office (@myogioffice) March 27, 2023
In response to the surge in cases, healthcare officials in several districts with the highest number of active cases, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Bulandshahr, and Lakhimpur Kheri, have been issued an alert to increase contact tracing and testing.
Sadly, one COVID-19 related death was reported in Muzaffarnagar recently. The patient was admitted for another ailment and died during treatment. The total COVID-19 deaths reported in the state so far are 23,650.
To tackle the situation, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reviewed the COVID-19 situation with Team-9 and directed officials to increase testing. He also urged officials to ensure that all medical facilities are up to date to handle COVID-19 patients.
प्रदेश के सभी 75 जिलों में तत्काल कोविड डेडिकेटेड हॉस्पिटल चिह्नित किए जाएं। विगत वर्ष स्थापित सभी ऑक्सीजन प्लांट क्रियाशील किए जाएं। अस्पतालों/मेडिकल कॉलेजों में उपलब्ध वेंटिलेटर भी एक्टिव किए जाएं: CM श्री @myogiadityanath जी महाराज
— Yogi Adityanath Office (@myogioffice) March 27, 2023
As the upcoming Hindu festivals of Ashtami and Ram Navami approach, the Chief Minister has cautioned that the number of people visiting temples may increase, leading to a risk of infection spreading. He urged the elderly and people with serious illnesses to limit their movement in crowded areas and wear a mask when going out.
Officials have also warned that people have become complacent about COVID-19. Following COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing, the use of masks in public places, and avoiding crowded places, can help bring down COVID-19 cases.
(With inputs from IANS)