Uttar Pradesh: Five test Covid-19 positive on mela campus ahead of Paush Purnima snan

PRAYAGRAJ: With the second pious snan Paush Purnima falling on Monday, thousands of Kalpwasis - who spend the one month time on the banks of Ganga and lead a minimalistic life, on Sunday continued to flock mela campus.
The Kaplwas- the period of their austerity, commences on Monday with the festival of Paush Purnima. Kalpwasis will be staying on the banks of Ganga till Maghi Purnina (February16).
Saints and seers believe that spending a whole month on the banks of Ganga, living inflimsy tents and listening to discourses, giving alms, eating only once a day and performing ritual baths daily free them of the cycle of birth, death andrebirth (moksha), and karma.
Meanwhile, five persons including three policemen, a kalpwasi and one tourist tested positive for Covid-19 infection and they have been admitted to Beli hospital for treatment. Over 20 health teams on Sunday conducted screening of kalpwasis and pilgrims who arrived at various camps of prominent seers and saints in sector three, four and five to perform kalpwas. A kalpwasi tested positive for the infection.
Additional chief medical officer and Nodal Officer (Covid-19) Dr Rishi Sahai told TOI that five persons have tested positive for Covid-19 infection on mela campus and the list included three policemen, one kalpwasi and one visitor.
He added that health teams have been assigned to conduct a detailed survey of kalpwasis who arrived camps of prominent seers and saints as well as Kalpwasi nagar to maintain their records. The teams have also checked RTPCR status report of kalpwasis and took samples of those who have not brought with them.
Dr Sahai, meanwhile, said that department will maintain the detail records of all kalpwasi arriving mela campus and their routine checking will also be conducted on frequent intervals. Moreover, a vaccination drive has also been taken out at camps of seers and saints to administer doses who were scheduled to take second dose.