Bengal on Thursday reported the 18th straight day of a dip in its total active Covid-19 cases, by 512 to 16,143.

On Thursday, the state reported 1,490 recoveries, 995 new infections and 17 deaths. Of them, Calcutta logged 87 new infections and two deaths.

Bengal’s daily positive confirmation rate, which was nearly 33 per cent at the peak of the second wave, was 2 per cent on Thursday, indicating shrinking Covid-19 spread.

The total of active cases had fallen till June 9 by around 89 per cent to 14,702, from the all-time high of 1,32,181 on May 21. But for 11 days till June 20, it had risen again by over 56 per cent, before falling by nearly 30 per cent again over these 18 days.

With worst-hit Calcutta logging 87 new cases and North 24-Parganas 93, Thursday was the first day since the second wave when not one of Bengal’s 23 districts reported a three-digit figure of new infections. Eighteen districts reported double-digit figures, while South Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum and Purulia reported single-digit ones.

“This achievement is a morale-booster, certainly a significant landmark in the fight against the second wave,” said a minister.

Bengal’s recovery rate rose to 97.75 per cent, with the national rate at 97.16. The state’s mortality rate remained 1.18, while that of the nation was 1.31 per cent.

North 24-Parganas reported three deaths. Thirteen Bengal districts reported zero deaths, while six others reported just one each.

Bengal now has a total of over 15.09 lakh Covid-19 cases, since the first was detected in March last year. It includes 14.75 lakh recoveries and 17,867 deaths.