Active COVID cases in UP cross 1,000-mark

Lucknow: The active case tally for COVID-19 infection in Uttar Pradesh crossed the 1000-mark on Saturday. The official bulletin on the pandemic infection revealed that as many as 188 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours. Upon deducting the recoveries, the state was left with 1025 active cases.

Of the new cases, 52 were reported in Gautam Budh Nagar while 27 were recorded in its neighbouring Ghaziabad district. State capital Lucknow saw 26 new cases while 10 new cases were confirmed in Varanasi.

In the new tally, Gautam Buddha Nagar continued to top the chart with 271 active cases followed by Lucknow where 177 active cases were under observation. Since the outbreak, Uttar Pradesh has recorded 21.29 lakh COVID cases and 23,651 related deaths.

Taking a note of the data, deputy chief minister Brijesh Pathak, who also holds the health and medical education portfolios, said that the health system has been put on an alert mode. He also issued instructions to undertake gap analysis and do the needful.

The rise in new COVID cases have prompted hospitals to prepare facilities for treatment/admission of COVID patients. "A mock drill has been planned for Monday. We shall check all the facilities that are required for treatment of COVID patients across the state," said Dr AK Singh, director infectious disease, state health department.

At present, over 560 oxygen plants are operational in the state at different health facilities, including community health centres. Also, liquid medical oxygen plants have been established at different medical colleges.