Kumbh Mela Led To 1800 Per Cent Rise In COVID-19 Cases

Dehradun: Uttarakhand saw a massive 1800 per cent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases between March 31 and April 24 — the period when Mahakumbh Mela was held.

Uttarakhand has recorded 1.3 lakh cases in just over a month, which is half of the total cases the state has recorded since the start of the pandemic.

The Kumbh Mela is believed to have been a super spreader event as over 35 lakh people had gathered in Haridwar on April 12.

The number of COVID-19 deaths for this period was 1,713.

The positivity rate in the state is 24 per cent, with 137 deaths being recorded on Friday.

There were 1,863 active cases as on March 31, By April 24, that number had swelled to a staggering 33,330!

Both the state and central government have come under immense criticism for allowing the event to take place during this pandemic.

Also Read: 70 Lakh Devotees Participated In Kumbh Mela Amid COVID Upsurge