There is nothing to feel scared about the recent spike in Covid cases, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday and urged people, especially those with comorbidities and compromised immunity, to exercise caution.
“Jotota paaren totota saabdhane thakben (Take care as much as you can),” the chief minister said while interacting with media persons at Nabanna on Thursday afternoon.
“One person has died (of Covid). But he had comorbidities. Bhoy powar karon nei (There is no reason to feel scared),” the chief minister said.
A 76-year-old resident of Rajdanga Main Road in Kasba died of Covid at a private hospital on Monday, the first victim of the virus this year.
The liver cancer patient was admitted to the hospital, off EM Bypass, on December 31 without any Covid symptoms, doctors said. He then ran a temperature and tested positive for Covid. Within 48 hours of testing positive, he passed away.
Before that, the state had recorded its last Covid death on December 28. Since then there has been a gradual rise in the number of positive cases.
Across the country, three Covid patients died within 24 hours on Thursday, Union health ministry officials said, adding that 514 Covid cases were recorded during the day.
Of the three fatalities reported, two were from Maharashtra and one was from Karnataka.
“The deaths are few and far between but the disease is contagious. Those with co-morbidities or who are immuno-compromised should wear a mask,” the chief minister said.
“It’s worth remembering the way we fought the pandemic on a war footing. We have to ensure that adequate precaution is taken. The health department has to ensure there is no further spread (of the virus).”
Several government and private hospitals said they have Covid patients admitted.
“We are treating five Covid patients aged between 50 and 60. They came for other ailments and tested positive for the virus,” said Pradip Tondon, CEO of Belle View Clinic. “Their condition isn’t serious.”
Several private hospitals said they are keeping a close watch on the situation without pressing the alarm too hard.
“We have recently treated two Covid patients, both of whom have been discharged. Patients with prolonged fever who have tested negative for dengue and malaria are being tested for Covid. Covid tests are not part of the routine tests,” said Sudipta Mitra, chief executive of Peerless Hospital.
At the Infectious Diseases and Beleghata General Hospital, one of the nodal centres in Bengal for Covid-19 cases since the outbreak of the pandemic, five Covid patients are being treated. The condition of all five is stable. “We will upload new instructions for Covid-19 on the website of the health department as and when needed. As of now, we are monitoring the situation,” a health department official said on Thursday.