Masks mandatory in UP: Two weeks after the mandatory provision of wearing masks in public places was lifted in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has on Monday issued fresh guidelines making masks compulsory again in five districts of the National Capital Region (NCR) as well as the state capital Lucknow.
The move is due to a surge in cases in the NCR region and Lucknow. Masks mandates and social distancing protocols have been imposed in Gautam Budh Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Bulandshahr, and Baghpat districts of the NCR region and Lucknow.
Testing and tracing of infections have also been strengthened in these districts.
“We noticed a surge in the Covid-19 cases in the NCR region as well as Lucknow. Since the number (of infections) was rising in neighboring states as well, it was advised to ensure precautionary measures,” said a health department official.
A government spokesperson has said that people, who have still not been vaccinated, should do so immediately. Those reporting symptoms should get tested as well. In the NCR districts, the Omicron variant was confirmed during genome sequencing of Covid-positive patients. According to experts, cases may surge though hospitalizations would remain low.
Sources said that while 100 percent of cases are being found positive for Omicron during genome sequencing, the bigger concern of health officials is the new Omicron XE variant, which has not yet been detected in the state.
On Monday, 115 fresh cases were reported across UP and the active caseload stood at 695. A majority of the fresh infections are from Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad which have been reporting cases in double digits for the past few days.
On April 17, 76 fresh cases were reported in Gautam Budh Nagar, 33 in Ghaziabad, seven in Lucknow, two in Meerut and Bulandshahr, and one in Baghpat. The total number of active cases in Gautam Budh Nagar was 280, 113 in Ghaziabad, 41 in Lucknow, 11 in Meerut, five in Bulandshahr and two in Baghpat.
A total of 700 private centers are operational in UP for the administration of vaccines and booster doses.
In view of the improving COVID-19 situation, the Uttar Pradesh government had given relaxation in wearing face masks earlier this month.
The rise in Covid cases in the national capital region is also a big cause of concern for Uttar Pradesh.
Delhi on Sunday recorded 517 fresh COVID-19 cases, 56 more than the previous day, with a positivity rate of 4.21 percent while no death was reported, according to city health department data.
With these new cases, the city’s infection tally has risen to 18,68,550 while the death toll stood at 26,160. Delhi has been witnessing an upward trend in daily COVID-19 cases positivity rate in the last few days.
The rising number of cases and the new OMICRON XE variant pose the threat of a 4 Covid wave, possibly worse than the last one. It is therefore in the interest of everyone that all possible precautionary measures are taken. Vigilance is required on both the part of the government and the citizens. People need to come together and work together cooperatively, because only then can we prevent a 4 wave and defeat the Covid – 19 virus.
Published By: Simran Mulani
Edit By: Khushi Thakur
