The overall recovery rate in Agra has gone up to 84.81 per cent, even as 48 fresh cases of Covid-19 were reported in the last 24 hours.
The total tally of cases now stands at 5,808, of which 4,875 have recovered. The number of deaths reported so far is 128. Health department officials said 1,92,007 samples had been collected for testing. On Friday, the number of active cases was 755.
The Agra district administration said multiplexes would be allowed to reopen from October 15, as also the places of worship. The university students and researchers will be permitted to enter educational institutions, but the decision to reopen schools will be taken after a week. The parents of children were generally apprehensive and not so keen that their wards attend the classes as the cases are still being reported in large numbers.
Agra's Eklavya stadium reopened on Thursday after almost 193 days, but players have still to report for practice. The state infectious diseases control department has begun a massive exercise to reach households to sensitive family members about precautions and safety measures as seasonal issues have already assumed alarming dimensions.
As far as the spread of the Covid-19 is concerned, September proved to be the worst month so far in terms of numbers. More than 2,800 cases were reported with 20 deaths.
The annual Ram Lila will begin from October 4, but people would not be allowed to congregate at the historic Ram Lila ground. The organising committee has made arrangements for the live streaming through social media platforms and the local cable networks.
Meanwhile, Agra Mayor Navin Jain Friday morning launched what is being described as the biggest cleanliness drive in the city. The campaign will continue from October 2 to January 30.
The BJP local leaders and corporators along with voluntary groups will cooperate to ensure that the city maintained a high level of cleanliness. However, due to the continuing strike by the safai karamcharis protesting Hathras gang rape case, the momentum planned could not pick up steam on the very first day of the campaign.