Confirming the fears of the experts that the mega religious congregation of Kumbh in Haridwar would accelerate the pace Covid-19 infection, the authorities on Thursday confirmed that 1,700 people were tested positive for the disease from April 10 to 14 in the Mela area.

The which is considered as the biggest religious congregation in the world officially started on April 1.

The medical workers conducted 2,36,751 tests during the five-day period (April 10 to 14) in the Mela area. Out of these, 1,701 samples came out positive for Covid-19, that means 0.7 per cent positivity rate.

It is learnt that in the Kumbh area a number of the Sadhus belonging to different Akhadas and sects have been reported positive for the disease.