Kolkata: Health experts have cautioned that when the country is moving towards the third wave of coronavirus infection, allowing Gangasagar Mela, a religious event to be held on Sagar Island, is a ‘super spreader’. ‘ The incident can be proved. Super spreader means the rapid spread of infection through the infected. Experts say that like the Kumbh Mela held at Haridwar, Prayagraj and other places, lakhs of people visit this fair and this fair can become a center for the spread of infection.
Dr. Anima Halder, Principal, Infectious Diseases and Beliaghata General (ID&BG) Hospital told PTI, “This (Gangasagar Mela) will definitely be a super-spreader. It does not have any message. Lakhs of people will gather and we fear that there will be a violation of the Covid-19 safety protocol.” He said, “This will definitely increase the spread of the virus. This fair will definitely become a means of spreading (coronavirus). The number of daily cases will be much higher than now.
Doctors had demanded a ban
A forum of doctors had filed a writ petition in the Calcutta High Court seeking a ban on the gathering of people. The petitioners sought direction from the state government not to organize the annual Gangasagar Mela at Sagar Island, about 130 km from Kolkata, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti from January 8 to January 16.
However, the High Court had given permission to organize the fair after getting assurance from the state government that the Covid protocol would be followed.
Dr. Hiralal Konar concurred with Dr. Halder’s opinion. He said that there is a possibility that the situation will get out of hand and added that if this happens then the health care infrastructure will be badly damaged. Dr. Konar is one of the conveners of the ‘West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors’.
Distance is not possible while diving
Dr. Shanta Dutta, director of the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases also reiterated the same fear and said that it is a difficult task to control people in such a large gathering and follow their safety protocols. Dr. Datta said “Distance while taking a dip? That would not be possible. So, it will definitely pave the way for the virus to spread further.”
On the other hand, Dr. Subhrojyoti Bhowmik, Clinical Director, Academics and Research, Peerless Hospital said, “Yes, I believe events like Gangasagar Mela are super spreaders and will help COVID-19 spread like a fire. It is clear that Omicron can also infect people in the country who have received both doses of vaccination.”
