Puri: Amid the resurgence of COVID-19 cases across India, Odisha’s Puri has witnessed a sudden spike registering over 100 positive cases in a single day.
The pilgrim city registered as many as 112 Coronavirus positive cases on Thursday. With this, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the city has mounted to 642.
As per reports, of the total cases detected in Puri, seven include the servitors at the Srimandir, their family members and other workers associated with the shrine. With this, the total number of positive cases among the servitors has reached ten while five positive cases have been detected among their family members.
Similarly, 10 workers from the shoe-stand of the temple and 5 other associated workers have been found positive for COVID-19 till date. This case propelled the positivity rate among people associated with the Srimandir to 30.
Such sudden spike of COVID infected persons associated with Srimandir has raised concerns among the temple administration.
“All persons who have come in contact with the positive patients will undergo COVID testing. Efforts are also being made for contact tracing,” said Ajay Jena, Administrator (Development), Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
Earlier on Tuesday following the detection of COVID cases from the shrine, Jena said, those found positive for COVID-19 were asked to remain in home isolation for 10 days.
“Efforts are being made by SJTA to ensure that the temple rituals do not get affected. Soon the administration will start Covid-19 vaccination drive,” he added.