The Statistical Analysis to Find Correlation Between Mass Gathering Event and COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak: The Prayagraj Magh Mela 2021 Experience

Magh mela, a smaller form of Kumbh mela, organize every year in Prayagraj. With the emergence of novel corona virus, there is worldwide discussion to find out the effective way to organize or cancel the mass gathering events. The present study assesses the challenges in organization of mass gathering events like Magh mela held at Prayagraj, India in 2021. The correlation between increased cases of COVID-19 and Magh mela-2021 has been highlighted through statistical analysis and growth curves using the available data. The study finds that there is a correlation between the Magh mela-2021 mass gathering event and increased rate of COVID-19 infections. After the Magh mela 2021, the average daily increase in the COVID-19 cases started to increase. It was found 4.25%, 6.28% and 2.73% in India, Uttar Pradesh and Prayagraj, respectively.