COVID-19 sparks fireworks ahead of Thrissur Pooram

Devaswoms allege bid to sabotage festival, naysayers cite crowd-control as a major worry

The surge in cases in the second wave of COVID-19 has cast a shadow over Thrissur Pooram. The test positivity rate in Thrissur has been increasing rapidly. The current rate has crossed 20% and 1,780 cases reported on a single day on Sunday. The rate, which had gone above 22% in October and November last year, was brought to 1.7% by the end of March this year. “The rate has been increasing very fast in the district. Violation of COVID-19 protocols during the election campaign contributed to the spike. Unlike during the first wave, this time, many of the COVID-19 patients developed breathlessness and had to be admitted in the ICU or put under ventilator support,” said DMO K.J Reena.