As the Char Dham Yatra commences in Uttarakhand, the detection of new Covid-19 cases has prompted heightened vigilance from the state health department. 

On Monday, two recent infections have been reported: a 57-year-old tourist from Gujarat and a woman doctor at AIIMS Rishikesh, both of whom contracted the virus outside the state.

State Health Secretary Dr. R Rajesh Kumar emphasized, “There is no need to fear,” and confirmed that genome sequencing is underway to monitor for emerging variants, reported Zee News.

Authorities have reiterated that there is no evidence of local transmission, but with lakhs of pilgrims arriving for the yatra, medical teams are stationed along the route and at key hospitals, including Doon Medical College and AIIMS Rishikesh.

The Char Dham Yatra, covering the sacred sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, is central to Uttarakhand’s religious and economic landscape. This year, for the first time since the pandemic, there is no cap on pilgrim numbers, with over 13.5 lakh registrations already recorded. 

The yatra not only holds deep spiritual significance—promising moksha, or liberation, to devotees—but also drives substantial tourism and employment in the region.

Given past challenges, such as the severe shortages during the 2021 Covid wave, the administration has ordered hospitals to ensure readiness, including oxygen beds, medicines, and isolation wards. Health advisories urge pilgrims to undergo medical check-ups and carry essential medicines, as the high-altitude terrain poses additional risks, especially to those with comorbidities. 

Dr. Meenu Singh of AIIMS Rishikesh noted, “This variant is not very harmful, but people should be cautious,” particularly those with underlying health issues.

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