Covid cases register sharp spurt in urban belts of East UP districts

Varanasi: Almost 100 new Covid-19 cases were detected on every alternate day in the past one week in Varanasi pushing the tally further up gradually, but health officials are specifically concerned over the sudden sharp rise in infection in the urban belts of neighbouring districts where cases had been trickling in at a rather slow pace.
Chandauli and Ballia, the districts which earlier witnessed few Covid cases with migrants’ influx are now reporting a sharp increase in cases, especially in urban belts. Looking at the alarming spread of the virus, the district administrations in Varanasi, Chandauli, Ballia and Mau are taking extra precautions like curtailing market opening hours and enforcing complete lockdown in city areas.
Since the first case was reported in the district on March 22, Varanasi had witnessed slow but continuous rise in Covid infection graph. The district tally rose to 100 in 57 days and 100 more cases were added in 16 days. But, gradually the gap in addition of 100 cases reduced from three to five days in June. Situation turned alarming in past eight days as the district tally increased by 100 every alternate day.
In view of the sharp jump in positive cases, district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma ordered curtailing the market opening hours on July 12. On Sunday, he ordered minor changes. In a fresh order, he said, “Commercial establishments in all categories, including medicine shops and petrol pumps will be closed at 4pm and no movement will be permitted between 5pm and 6am.”
The only change in the arrangements is of the opening of shops. “The right-left and odd-even formula for opening of shops in city and rural areas will continue. The shops, which were opening on Monday, Wednesday and Friday will now open on Tuesday and Thursday only. The shops that opened on Tuesday and Thursday will now open on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday,” said Sharma, adding from Monday strict action would be taken against people found violating norms.
Chandauli was the last district of state to report Covid-19 cases and its first case had come to light on May 30 when migrant labourers started coming from other states. However, only in past 10 days this district reported over 250 cases lreaving the Covid figures in districts—Mirzapur, Bhadohi and Mau far behind.
Initially the outbreak of epidemic was in rural areas due to arrival of migrants. But, in past 10 days the urban belt, especially Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar (Mughalsarai), was also hit. DM Chandauli Navneet Singh Chahal ordered complete lockdown in the township.
Similar trend is evident in Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia and Sonbhadra. Rise in Covid-19 cases in rural belts of these districts had seen peak by May 15, but now they are witnessing increase in cases in main city or townships.