logo
No immediate Covid-related curbs on Rath Yatra: Health min

No immediate Covid-related curbs on Rath Yatra: Health min

Time of Indiaa day ago

1
2
Bhubaneswar: Amid a fresh surge in Covid cases across the country, the state govt on Monday indicated that the upcoming Rath Yatra on June 27 in Puri, expected to attract lakhs of devotees, faces no immediate restriction on public participation.
After a high-level Rath Yatra preparatory meeting in Puri, health minister Mukesh Mahaling said authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will follow the central govt's protocols as required.
Mahaling assured that the govt is well-prepared for the grand festival. "We are continuously monitoring the Covid situation and as of now, there are no alarming indicators that would affect Rath Yatra celebrations.
There is no need to panic," Mahaling said, adding that the latest Covid sub-variants are 'weak'.
The announcement came as a relief to devotees after the grand festival was conducted without public participation in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
According to the minister, Covid situation is under control in Odisha. The state has so far recorded 49 Covid cases in the latest wave with the count of active cases currently at 37.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
This Is How Much New Windows Should Cost In Florida
Storm Through Windows
Learn More
Undo
"While there are no restrictions currently, the govt will remain vigilant and adapt to any changes in the Covid situation," Mahaling added.
"We will strictly follow any protocols advised by the central govt. The safety of devotees remains our top priority. We urge devotees to take basic health precautions during the festival," Mahaling said, adding that people with underlying health issues should stay away from crowded places.
He further said, "Our preparation involves comprehensive healthcare facilities and emergency response systems for devotees. At least 300 doctors will be on stand-by in Puri from Rath Yatra on June 27 to Bahuda Yatra on July 5. Adequate number of temporary ICUs and heatstroke wards will be set up at the Puri district headquarters hospital."
Local health officials have confirmed that medical teams will be stationed along the Grand Road where the chariot procession takes place.
"We will have multiple medical kiosks, ambulances and healthcare professionals ready to address any emergencies," the minister said.
Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said that about 80% of Rath Yatra preparations is complete, expressing hope that the remaining work will be finished before the festival. He said that the progress of the work is being reviewed by ministers of departments concerned.
"We are hopeful that the Lord's blessings and coordination of all departments, servitors and Puri locals will result in an incident-free Rath Yatra," the law minister said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

US restores some medical research grants, says top Trump official
US restores some medical research grants, says top Trump official

Time of India

time33 minutes ago

  • Time of India

US restores some medical research grants, says top Trump official

Washington: A senior US health official on Tuesday admitted President Donald Trump's administration had gone too far in slashing biomedical research grants worth billions of dollars, and said efforts were underway to restore some of the funding. Jay Bhattacharya , director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), made the remarks during a Senate committee hearing examining both recent cuts to his agency and deeper reductions proposed by the White House in next year's budget. Bhattachartya said he had created an appeals process for scientists and laboratories whose research was impacted, and that the NIH had already "reversed many" of the cuts. "I didn't take this job to terminate grants," said the physician and health economist who left a professorship at Stanford University to join the Trump administration. "I took this job to make sure that we do the research that advances the health needs of the American people." The hearing came a day after more than 60 NIH employees sent an open letter to Bhattacharya condemning policies they said undermined the agency's mission and the health of Americans. They dubbed it the " Bethesda Declaration " -- a nod both to the NIH's suburban Washington headquarters and to Bhattacharya's role as a prominent signatory of the 2020 "Great Barrington Declaration," which opposed Covid lockdowns. Since Trump's January 20 inauguration, the NIH has terminated 2,100 research grants totaling around $9.5 billion and $2.6 billion in contracts, according to an independent database called Grant Watch. Affected projects include studies on gender, the health effects of global warming, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. Trump has launched a sweeping overhaul of the US scientific establishment early in his second term -- cutting billions in funding, attacking universities, and overseeing mass layoffs of scientists across federal agencies.

Covid more severe among elderly: Kerala Health Minister advocates special care as cases increase
Covid more severe among elderly: Kerala Health Minister advocates special care as cases increase

India Gazette

timean hour ago

  • India Gazette

Covid more severe among elderly: Kerala Health Minister advocates special care as cases increase

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 11 (ANI): Amid an increase in Covid-19 cases, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has said that special care should be taken as the disease remains more severe among the elderly and those with other diseases. She added that the Omicron JN.1 variants LF.7 and XFG were the most common in Kerala. These variants are 'not as severe' but have a high potential for spreading the disease. 'Masks should be worn in public places and during travel. Genomic sequencing is being conducted to identify the Covid-19 variant. The Omicron JN.1 variant LF.7 and XFG, which are spreading in Southeast Asian countries, are the most common in Kerala. Although these variants are not as severe, they have a high potential for spreading the disease,' the minister said. There are 2,223 active cases in the state, with 96 people undergoing treatment. Ernakulam district reported 431 Covid-19 cases, 426 cases in Kottayam, and 365 in Thiruvananthapuram. 'There are currently 2,223 active Covid cases in the state. 96 people are under treatment. Most of them have other diseases. 431 cases have been reported in Ernakulam district, 426 cases in Kottayam and 365 cases in Thiruvananthapuram,' the ministry said. All hospitals have been instructed to conduct Covid tests for those with symptoms, including cold, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath. The minister also stated that instructions have been given to ensure oxygen availability. This comes after George chaired a meeting with the state unit of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) to assess the situation in the state. The concerned officials have been directed not to refer patients to private hospitals unnecessarily due to Covid. 'Unnecessary visits to hospitals should be avoided. Those with symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath should wear masks. Masks are mandatory in hospitals. Hands should be cleaned with soap or sanitiser from time to time,' the minister added. As of Tuesday morning, India has reported 6,815 active Covid-19 cases. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), 163 cases of the new Covid-19 variant XFG have recently been detected across the country. Earlier, Balram Bhargava, former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and former Secretary of the Department of Health Research, said that the emergence of the XFG variant is part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus's natural evolution. He added that India is well-positioned to detect and contain emerging variants swiftly due to the widespread deployment of rapid molecular diagnostic platforms such as Truenat. (ANI)

Massive turnout at fish prasadam event sparks fear of COVID-19 spread
Massive turnout at fish prasadam event sparks fear of COVID-19 spread

The Hindu

time2 hours ago

  • The Hindu

Massive turnout at fish prasadam event sparks fear of COVID-19 spread

Even as COVID-19 cases climb across India, faith drew over one lakh people to Hyderabad's Nampally exhibition grounds from June 7 to 9 for the annual fish prasadam event, a ritual believed to provide relief from asthma and respiratory ailments. The Bathini Goud family, custodians of this practice, organised the programme and administered live murrel fish laced with a secret herbal paste to eager attendees, undeterred by the rising infection count. India's active COVID-19 caseload crossed 6,800 as of Tuesday (June 10, 2025). Gujarat alone reported 1,109 new cases in a single day, while Kerala topped the chart with over 2,000 active infections. Neighbouring States Maharashtra (613), Karnataka (559) and Andhra Pradesh (86) also saw worrying upticks, prompting fears of a super-spreader event. On the ground, this reporter saw a stark mismatch between precaution and participation. Mask vendors dotted the venue's periphery, but few takers were seen. Fewer still wore them. Well-organised queues offered little solace as social distancing collapsed in sheds and food lines, where neither volunteers nor recipients observed basic safety protocols. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) deployed 142 buses to transport devotees, while organisers prepared 1.5 lakh fish fingerlings. 'However, only 60,000 fish were administered, a figure consistent with last year's turnout,' said T. Srinivas, deputy director of Fisheries (Inland), Telangana Fisheries Department. Authorities also set up medical camps to handle emergencies. On June 7, six teams, each with a doctor and four staff, were stationed, scaling up to 15 teams having 75 personnel the next day. By June 9, six teams remained. Over three days, 1,248 people received treatment for discomfort, with 11 referred to Osmania General Hospital, all of whom have since recovered, said Hyderabad District Medical and Health Officer J. Venkat. The health official said that while there is no direct evidence yet linking the event to a spike in COVID-19 cases, its sheer scale and timing are concerning. 'The incubation period means any transmission from June 7 to 9 may only now reflect in case numbers later. Telangana, already managing rising infections, could face further strain if cases emerge from the event,' he explained.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store