LADAKH, J&K, SIKKIM SEE SPIKE IN CASES

NEWDELHI: 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 and adopt an odd-even system for the private vehicles, other than those involved in the delivery of essential services.

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.

› All precautions are being taken. No person will be allowed to enter Sikkim now

PREM SINGH TAMANG, chief minister of Sikkim, which had zero Covid-19 cases until May 22

“There is no reason for panic. Most of the cases are in institutional quarantine or hospitals. There is no community spread .... ,” said financial commissioner (health) Atal Dulloo. He added most of the lockdown conditions were continuing in the worst-hit areas.

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 for the disease in the state.

The spike in the cases has prompted the state to postpone reopening of schools from July 1 to August 1 and impose restrictions on vehicular transport. “All precautions are being taken. No person will be allowed to enter Sikkim now,” said chief minister Prem Singh Tamang.

Officials in Uttarakhand said about 30% of the state’s 1,816 cases until Sunday have been reported over the last five days.