Chhattisgarh’s health minister TS Singh Deo said on Tuesday the situation in the state is “very concerning” and the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases and deaths has posed a challenge for authorities.
Authorities in Raipur and Durg districts, have been struggling with the rising Covid-19 cases and related deaths as these are the worst-hit areas by the coronavirus pandemic.
Reports said, bodies of Covid-19 victims have been piling up in mortuaries and crematoriums in Raipur and the situation was worrying in neighbouring Durg.
Videos being circulated on social media show bodies on stretchers outside the mortuary of Raipur’s Dr BR Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, the state’s biggest state-run institute
Raipur and Durg districts witnessed 3,442 and 1,591 new Covid-19 cases, respectively, on Monday, taking their caseload to 94,753 and 56,986 respectively.
In Raipur, 1261 people have succumbed to the coronavirus disease and Durg’s death till stands at 953. Data shows that since April 1, 861 people have died due to Covid-19 in Chhattisgarh, with Raipur reporting 305 fatalities and Durg 213.
“The health department’s responsibility is to look after the patients. We can’t make other arrangements. I spoke with the district administration about it. More arrangements have been made to keep dead bodies,” TS Singh Deo was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
“The district administration and the municipal corporation have been asked to ensure the bodies are cremated at the earliest,” he also said, according to news agency PTI on Tuesday.
