Dehradun, May 25 (PTI) Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Monday said COVID-19 cases have risen in Uttarakhand after the return of migrants but the government was fully prepared to deal with the situation.

The chief minister held a meeting with senior officials in Haldwani to review the situation in the state, especially in Nainital district, which has reported 117 cases so far.

Also Read | Rail Bhavan Staffer Tests Positive for COVID-19; 5th Case in Less Than Two Weeks in Same Building.

"It was our decision to bring back migrants. As it was clear that the cases will rise after the start of the process, we have been preparing in advance to deal with the spike," Rawat said.

The chief minister said people who have been quarantined must strictly follow the rules and guidelines issued by the government.

Also Read | COVID-19 Lockdown Extended in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur and Solan Till June 30: Live Breaking News Headlines & Coronavirus Updates, May 25, 2020.

He asked the officials at the meeting to ensure that all required medical equipment and other resources are made available on priority to the Sushila Tiwari Hospital, which has been converted into a dedicated COVID-19 facility.

Describing the Health Department as the team of warriors at the forefront of the battle against the pandemic, the chief minister asked healthcare professionals to perform their duties actively as they have always been doing.

He asked them to be extra careful about disposing of medical waste.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)