DEHRADUN: Covid-19 cases have been steadily increasing in Uttarakhand for past two weeks. On July 11, 48 cases were reported in the entire state but the very next day, Uttarakhand recorded more than 100 daily infections. On Saturday (July 23), the count of active cases in the hill state rose to 1,040 after 260 fresh infections were recorded in a day. Out of the total active cases in Uttarakhand, 640 (62%) are in Dehradun alone.
According to experts, the increase in cases needs to be monitored closely. They say that there is a need to increase the testing and sampling while enforcing Covid appropriate behaviour.
“We are witnessing a positivity rate this high after four and a half months. In districts like Dehradun and Nainital, the positivity rate is above 10%. Positivity rate going higher than 5% is a cause for concern,” said Anoop Nautiyal, founder, Social Development of Communties foundation. At present, only around 2,000 samples are being tested in a day. He added, “The sampling has been abysmally low for weeks. We need to increase it to get the real picture of the pandemic, especially at a time when pilgrims are coming to the state for the ongoing kanwar and Char Dham yatra. While there is no reason to panic as yet, we must keep our guard up to keep the infection at bay,” Nautiyal.
