Rise in COVID cases: Mask made mandatory in NCR, Lucknow

Lucknow: Fresh surge in Covid-19 cases in National Capital Region (NCR), including Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat as well as in the Uttar Pradesh capital here can lead to mandatory mask regulation.

During a meeting reviewing the pandaemic situation in the state, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "An increase in Covid cases is being witnessed in few states bordering UP and its effect is visible in NCR districts. As per the experts there is a possibility that the number of cases might increase, but the situation of admitting in hospital and a patient getting serious will not arise. The people should be made aware about following Covid protocol."

 "Cases have increased here in the last few days. In the last 24 hours 65 fresh cases have been confirmed in Gautam Buddha Nagar, 20 in Ghaziabad and 10 in Lucknow. A close watch should be maintained in these areas."

"Wearing mask should be made mandatory in NCR districts, including Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Baghpat and Lucknow."

"Those who have been left out of vaccination in these districts should be identified and vaccinated. "Testing of people having symptoms should be done."

The chief minister also said the Omicron variant has been confirmed during genome sequencing of samples of patients, who have tested positive. He said that at present there are 695 active cases in the state.

"More than 83,000 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours in which 115 new coronavirus patients were confirmed and 29 have recuperated in this period. We have to maintain complete caution and remain vigilant," he added.

Adityanath said the process of vaccination is satisfactory, but there is need to accelerate vaccination among children.

"More than 30.75 crore vaccination done so far, 100 per cent adult population has received first dose, whereas 86.34 per cent people have received both the doses. More than 94 per cent population in the age group of 15 to 17 years have received first dose," he said. (UNI)