LADAKH, J&K, SIKKIM SEE SPIKE IN CASES

NEW DELHI: Himalayan regions of Ladakh, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have reported a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases over the past week amid the easing of curbs after two-month national lockdown to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The unrestricted interstate movement was allowed from June 1 as part of the Centre’s first of a three-phase plan— Unlock 1.0 — to lift stringent restrictions.

Officials in Ladakh said the region had reported 131 cases over three months until Friday, which involved mostly pilgrims, who had returned from Iran.

The region reported 198 cases on Saturday and 112 on Sunday and prompted the authorities to ban public transport. Jammu & Kashmir reported 5041 Covid-19 cases and 59 deaths until Sunday. Most of the cases— 3,800 — have been reported from the Kashmir Valley. Officials said the number of cases has increased over the last week because of the return of Kashmiris from other parts of the country.

Officials in Uttarakhand said about 30% of the state’s 1,816 cases until Sunday have been reported over the last five days and involved mostly migrants, whose return has picked up pace due to the easing of lockdown norms.

“The cases may have increased but the situation is under control and we have created enough health infrastructure to deal with the increase,” said Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

Officials said one-fourth of Himachal’s 512 cases as of Sunday have been reported over the last week. Sikkim, which was Covid-19 free until May 22, had only 12 cases as of Thursday. The cases increased to 68 by Sunday. On Friday, 50 people, most of whom had returned from Mumbai, tested positive.