There has been a major dip in the transmission rate of Covid-19 in areas falling under the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, particularly in Salt Lake, health officials of the corporation are claiming.

Transmission rate is the rate of increase of new Covid cases over a 14-day period.

“The rate of transmission in Salt Lake, Teghoria, Baguiati and parts of Rajarhat was highest in the month of April,” said a health official. “It had peaked at 5.7 but since then the curve has flattened and there has been a decline in the curve of Covid transmission rate, especially in Salt Lake.”

The reduced transmission rate, along with the dipping rate of active cases, shows a reverse of the trend prevailing in the rest of North 24-Parganas. The district has recorded more Covid cases than Calcutta in the later half of August.

In May, the rate within the corporation area had dipped to 2.1 and then further to 1.2. In August, it had gone up to 1.7 but in September it has once again dipped to 1.4, the official added.

Mayor Krishna Chakraborty said that a combined effort of raising awareness levels, constant disinfection drives and strict implementation of the total lockdowns, especially in Salt Lake, has resulted in the fall in the number of residents testing positive.

“During Unlock-1, the cases rose as most people joined their workplaces or went to their businesses in crowded places like Burrabazar, that reported a high number of cases. But now, the figures are not rising drastically. People too have become more aware,” said Chakraborty.

Residents, however, feel it’s too early to rejoice. “Only the other day, a neighbour tested positive,” said Preeti Agarwal, an FD Block resident.

Buddhadeb Basu, a DB Block resident, said that a restaurant opposite their block had been shut for long as several of its employees had got Covid. “The restaurant has opened up now but new cases got reported in our block in August too,” said Basu.

Deputy mayor infected

Deputy mayor of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation Tapas Chatterjee tested positive earlier this week. Chatterjee had been organising Covid testing camps in Rajarhat and arranging for people to be sent to safe houses and quarantine centres. On Wednesday, he told The Telegraph Salt Lake that he was feeling better at a hospital off EM Bypass.