The number of coronavirus cases has been on a steady rise in Salt Lake, Baguiati, Teghoria, Kaikhali and several parts of Rajarhat over the past couple of weeks, officials of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation’s health department said.

According to an official, with the “unlock” phase kicking in and people heading out to their workplaces, and even with Puja shopping, things have gotten worse.

Salt Lake and its adjoining areas were reporting a steady number of cases but in the past couple of weeks there have been more than 1,000 fresh cases reported from these neighbourhoods.

On Wednesday, 728 fresh cases were reported from North 24-Parganas according to figures given by the state health department. More than 100 fresh cases have been reported from the 41 wards under the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation on Wednesday.

Mayor Krishna Chakraborty said that many Salt Lake residents own businesses that operate out of Burrabazar, Posta and MG Road. They are contracting the virus upon visiting the places.

“Many residents who own businesses there are coming down with the disease. We are doing all we can to curb the spread and are actively campaigning to maintain social distancing and hygiene protocols,” said Chakraborty.

Several residents however claimed that the ground reality was different, what with shoppers crowding block markets and several shopkeepers and hawkers dealing with customers without wearing masks or ensuring the social distancing protocol.

“One visit to the block market on Sunday and it seemed that the pandemic never struck,” said Kamalika Saha, a homemaker, who stays in EE Block. “At this rate, one shudders to think what lies in store after the Pujas get over.”