Bengal on Sunday reported the 14th consecutive day of a drop in total active Covid-19 cases, by 500, to 18,780.

It was the first time the number fell below 19,000 since June 9, 25 days ago.

On Sunday, Bengal reported 1,777 recoveries, 1,297 new infections and 20 deaths.

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

“In the important parameter of case growth (percentage of growth of cases over the past week compared to the week before that), we are 22nd on the list of states, with case growth falling by 48.9 per cent. We maintained a case growth of –40 to –60 for weeks, which is significant,” said a minister.

Of the 20 deaths, three were reported from Calcutta and six from North 24-Parganas. Fourteen Bengal districts reported zero deaths on Saturday, while four others reported one each. The state’s mortality rate is 1.18 now, and that of the nation 1.31 per cent.

Bengal’s daily positive confirmation rate, which was nearly 33 per cent at the peak of the second wave, was 2.48 on Sunday. A dip in positive confirmation rate is indicative of shrink in Covid-19 spread.

Bengal’s recovery rate rose to 97.57 per cent, with the national rate at 97.07 now.

With Calcutta logging 111 new infections and North 24-Parganas 172, Sunday was the seventh straight day since the second wave when none of Bengal’s 23 districts reported over 200 new cases. Fifteen districts reported double-digit figures and Kalimpong, Malda and Purulia reported single-digit figures on Sunday.

Bengal now has over 15.05 lakh Covid-19 cases in all since March last year, with nearly 14.69 lakh recoveries and 17,799 deaths.