The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) have expressed concern about the potential of mass gatherings during upcoming festivals across the country turning into super-spreader events, thereby leading to a spike in Covid-19 cases, states were warned on Wednesday.

Union Health and Family Welfare Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, in a letter to the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories, stressed that any laxity during the imminent festivities in ensuring strict adherence to the five-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and ensuring Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, may result in losing the impetus that the country has gained so far in managing the pandemic.