Rapid increase in the state covid tally post-Durga puja celebration

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• Oct 16, 2021 | Deleted

Guwahati: Spike in covid cases have been reported post-Durga puja celebration in the state, a report said. 

Earlier, the State government had set a maximum restriction for the people's ease during the festive season. 

On October 1, in its SOP, the state government decided to allow the devotees to visit Durga Puja pandals who have got atleast one shot of covid vaccine. Moreover, in the SOP, it was mentioned that people have to visit the puja pandals maintaining the covid protocols, and after 10 pm, curfew will be imposed in the city.  

However, the same could not be seen in most of the pandals in the state. People as well the puja committees can be seen violating the covid protocols. A large number of people were seen thronging the puja pandals after 10 pm also.  

Reportedly, a large group of people was seen without a mask and also, most of the puja committees has kept all the covid protocols in pen and paper and were not followed practically.  

Also Read: Banks of Yamuna River littered with waste following Durga Puja immersions

Earlier, Kamrup (M) DC Biswajit Pegu, stated that "In greater Guwahati we have seen that 80 percent of the covid infected people either took the first or both doses."  

Additionally, health experts including, Senior scientists at ICMR-RMRC, Dr. B Borkakoty, said to TOI, "Fully vaccinated people are also transmitting covid-19. The government policy to test mostly the unvaccinated people at the entry point is not medically sound." 

Meanwhile, within 24 hours, Assam recorded 147 new covid cases on Friday, out of which 63 cases were from Guwahati, an official report said.  

While the positivity rate in the last 24 hours is 0.93 per cent. One person succumbed to covid-19 taking the death rate to 0.98 per cent.

Notably, Inspite of the Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma appeals to the people ahead of Durga puja to adhere to the covid protocols. The people were seen least bothered about the incoming hazardous situation. 

As per the report, many three stars' hotels in Guwahati were seen entertaining their guests post the commencement of curfew hour. 

In contrast, the street vendors were seen shutting down their business following the code of conduct at 9 pm. 

However, the concerned authority has not taken any steps against the owner of the three-star hotels who entertained their guests even after the curfew hours. 

Now, the question arises who is responsible for the spike in covid cases in the state. Is it the people who didn't bother about the covid norms or the concerned authority who failed to manage it during the puja celebration?