'Kumbh Mela Should Now Only be Symbolic to Strengthen Covid-19 Fight': PM Modi

NEW DELHI: The Kumbh Mela of 2021 which is now regarded as to be the superspreader of the deadly COVID-19 has witnessed a massive surge in coronavirus cases.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 17 urged the citizens of the country that the weeks-long religious festival "should now only be symbolic".

Further PM Modi enquired about the health of saints, many of whom have contracted the infection.

In a tweet, the minister wrote that he spoke to Swami Avdheshanand Giri of Juna Akhara over the telephone and enquired about the health of saints, many of whom have contracted the infection, and also conveyed his appreciation for their cooperation with the local administration.

"I prayed that two 'shahi snan' have taken place and Kumbh (participation) should now be kept symbolic. This will boost the fight against this crisis," the prime minister tweeted in Hindi.

Mahamandaleshwar Kapil Dev Das, 65, of the Nirwani akhada of MP, one of the 13 main akhadas, died from Covid-19 complications at a private facility here on Thursday at the Maha Kumbh area.

A senior official in the health department told that a total of 68 "top seers" in Haridwar have tested positive for Covid-19 between April 5 and 14. Read more

Meanwhile, Niranjani Akhada, one of the 13 akhadas of seers participating in the Haridwar Kumbh, on April 15 decided to opt out of the event because of the deteriorating COVID-19 situation in the state.the 

According to the mela administration, 332 people (of 14,915 tested) reported Covid positive on Thursday.

The administration doesn't have any record of the total number of Covid deaths among those attending the religious mela. Of the 13,415 tested on Wednesday, 119 were positive; 79,301 people were tested since April 12 and 745 found positive. 

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