With over 90 lakh active coronavirus cases in India, certain states in the nation have been severely hit by the deadly virus. For instance, all the people in a village in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul have tested positive for COVID-19. Barring one resident, 41 out of 42 residents of Thorang village along the Manali-Leh highway are covid-positive, reposts TOI.
Of the 42 villagers, 52-year-old Bhushan Thakur was the only person who tested negative for the virus. The outspread is reportedly being linked to a religious program which was held a couple of days back, reports News18. According to reports, the social gathering could have been the reason for community transmission.
Thorang village has just 42 residents currently as other people have migrated to Kullu for winter. The district is one of the worst affected areas in terms of population ratio in the state. While the villagers had voluntarily decided to get tested, it was shocking that 41 of them tested positive. Bhushan, whose five family members also tested positive, was quoted saying by India Today,
“I am staying in a separate room and have been cooking my meals for the last four days. I was with my family members until we got to know about the results. However, I was strict about the protocols like sanitising hands, wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing in public areas. People should not take this disease lightly.”
Following the rapid increase in cases in the valley, the district administration has restricted tourist movement to avoid the spread. The rising cases have become a matter of concern as many villages along the Manali-Keylong highway are now containment zones.
Even though things are getting back to the new normal, such incidences remind you how we should not take the virus lightly. Stay safe.