In an attempt to clamp the exploding COVID infection rates in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has extended the ongoing lockdown restrictions for two more days till May 6, 7 AM. Earlier implemented for a period of 3 days till Tuesday morning, the period of restraints has been increased for Lucknow, Kanpur and all districts of the state now. On Sunday, 30,857 new COVID cases were recorded in Uttar Pradesh while 288 citizens from the state succumbed to the highly infectious contagion.

A move to break the chain of infections in the state!

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Being the hardest-hit districts in the state, Lucknow and Kanpur account for the largest shares of new and active COVID cases. Additionally, the death tallies have also been consistently high for the two cities in the past month. On Sunday, 3,438 fresh COVID cases were registered in Lucknow while the count ticked up by 1,314 for Kanpur. In addition to this, 24 deaths were witnessed in Lucknow while 21 lost their lives to the virus in Kanpur. On the positive side, 5,417 and 2,486 recoveries were marked in Lucknow and Kanpur respectively.

Now, the latest decision by the state government attempts to tighten the grip over the spiralling count of cases in different regions of the state. Though the lockdown extension comes with strong motives, it's effects will be only observed if the citizens adhere to the restrictions and all guidelines and protocol laid out for COVID prevention and control.

Here, it is important to acknowledge that the medical establishments in the state, are working beyond their capacity and they cannot take more burden. Thus, each one of us must be responsible and aware to practice such behaviour that can be conducive to arresting the spread of contamination.