The spurt in COVID-19 cases continues as 2,038 more people have tested positive for novel coronavirus infection in the last 24 hours in Uttar Pradesh -- almost 205 per cent increase in cases since Tuesday when 992 cases were reported in one day.
Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said that out of the 1,92,430 samples tested in the last 24 hours, 2,038 were positive for coronavirus infection. He said that in the last 24 hours, 51 COVID-19 patients had recovered.
At present, there are 5,158 active cases of COVID-19 in the state.
He said in view of the increase in COVID-19 cases, the government issued two guidelines. One, children can avail holiday on the day of vaccination and the next day, and the second guideline specifies that all educational institutions up to class 10 will be closed in the districts where there will be more than 1,000 active cases.
The official said that at present there were more than 1,000 active cases of COVID-19 only in Gautam Buddha Nagar while there were less than 10 active cases in 33 districts of the state.
The night curfew will remain in force from 10 pm to 6 am on Thursday, he said.
Apart from this, people will be checked by setting up Covid Help Desk in zoos, memorials and other public places. Hotels, food points and cinema halls will operate with 50 per cent capacity.
Prasad said a new guideline had been issued by the Government of India regarding home isolation, according to which, the period of home isolation had been reduced to seven days. He said that the hospitalisation of new patients of COVID-19 was negligible.
The official asked people not to panic or get scared of any kind of misleading news related to COVID-19. He told the people that everyone must get their Covid vaccination done and those who had taken the first dose should also take their second dose on time.
Prasad said that vaccination was being done continuously.
On January 4 over 13.78 lakh doses of the vaccine were administered in a day in the state. The first dose of the vaccine was given to 12,93,95,069 people above 18 years in the state on Tuesday, which is 87.7 per cent of the people above 18 years of age. The second dose was given to 7,54,36,155 people which is 51.17 per cent of the people above 18 years of age. So far, 4,60,237 first doses of vaccine have been given to children between 15 and 18 years, which is about 3.28 per cent of their estimated number.
“Testing and treatment of COVID-19 is being done free of cost at government centres. The coronavirus infection is not completely over yet. Therefore, people should follow Covid protocol. Be sure to follow the Covid protocol even after vaccination. In case of any problem, contact on Covid Helpline 18001805145, he said.