Highest single-day jump takes UP tally above 8K

Lucknow :  Uttar Pradesh recorded its biggest single-day jump with 378 new Covid-19 cases till late on Sunday night, which threw the number of total cases above 8,000 mark. Four deaths were also reported on Sunday.

Coming on the eve of 'Unlock 1' when offices will record 100 per cent attendance, all markets will reopen and the public transport will go on road, the spurt is a cause to worry.

Dr Vikasendu Agrawal, the Joint Director/State Surveillance Officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), said, "One death each was reported from Agra, Meerut, Deoria and Gorakhpur while 378 fresh cases were also reported on Sunday, taking the total to 8,075."

Agarwal said, "The 378 fresh Covid-19 cases is so far the highest number of fresh cases reported in a single-day in the state."

A senior health official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that "People need to realize the seriousness of the situation-more so since the lockdown conditions are being relaxed. Even a slightest violation of safety protocols could lead to a spurt in Corona cases."

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said, "We have now achieved the target given by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of having more than one lakh beds in all COVID hospitals including those in level one, two and three. We are now increasing testing in a big way."

He said that Uttar Pradesh had become the first state to have one lakh beds for patients in COVID hospitals.