Varanasi: In a surge of Covid-19 cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, registered 13,756 new Covid-19 cases and 36 deaths in the last 15 days — from April 1 to 15. The number of active cases also increased to 11,756 till Thursday, making the situation troublesome.
Though the local authorities claimed to have enhanced medical facilities for the care of
corona patients, the continued surge of new Covid-19 cases is uncontrollable and restrictions have been imposed in the district to check the spread of the coronavirus.
District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said, “Arrangements for Covid testing have been made at different places, including railway stations, bus stand, Sir Sunderlal Hospital of Banaras Hindu University, SSPG Divisional Hospital and the hospitals at Bhelupur and Ramnagar. People are advised to get tested for their own safety.”
He also appealed to the migrants coming from other places to give required information to the Covid Control Room over phone. The health department has been doing sampling of the migrants, he added.
Acting chief medical officer Dr. NP Singh said, “The patients in home isolation are being contacted regularly over phone to know their condition. People should be careful even if their test reports come negative and follow Covid protocol. On Thursday, 6,011 people were vaccinated at different government and private hospitals.”
Meanwhile, the district administration has imposed restrictions like night curfew and ban of public gatherings.
Commissioner of police A Satish Ganesh also talked to the representatives of various organisations of traders seeking their support in Covid control. While the district administration ordered closure of markets on Saturday and Sunday, the local traders’ communities also came forward to put a check on the spread. The Varanasi Kirana Vyapar Samiti has announced a complete closure of Visheshwarganj Mandi, the largest mandi in eastern UP, from April 19 to 24. This decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the office-bearers on Thursday in view of the rapid increase in Covid-19 cases.
Besides, joint secretary of the Anjuman Masajid Intezamiya Committee SM Yasin also appealed to the Muslim community to follow Covid guidelines issued by the district administration and offer namaz at home.