Bengal on Tuesday reported a drop by 2,209 in its total of active Covid-19 cases, which fell to 1.26 lakh, on a day former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and his wife Meera, who tested positive for the coronavirus last week, were hospitalised.

The state reported 19,057 recoveries, 17,005 new infections and 157 deaths.

The state now has 5.05 per cent of the national total of active cases, and remains sixth on the list of states with most active cases.

Bengal’s total of Covid-19 cases since March last year is nearly 13.02 lakh now, including close to 11.61 lakh recoveries and 14,674 deaths.

The recovery rate rose for the 24th consecutive day, to 89.17 per cent. The national rate now is 89.61.

“The recovery rate was almost 98 per cent in March and over 97 even last month. But it slumped to almost 84 as the second wave peaked. Over the past three weeks, we managed to see a rise,” said a minister. Bengal is now 16th on the list of states with the highest recovery rates.

Bengal’s mortality rate now is 1.12 per cent, better than the national rate of 1.14.

Of the 157 deaths reported on Tuesday, 33 were reported from the city and 46 from North 24-Parganas. Calcutta logged 2,979 new infections, North 24-Parganas 3,452.

“In the second wave, comorbid deaths have been fewer, compared to deaths between March 2020 and March 2021,” said the minister.

Bhattacharjee, 77, was admitted to a private hospital in Alipore for critical care under a panel of six physicians. Meera, 71, was readmitted to the same hospital. They, and their daughter Suchetana, had tested positive on May 18. CPM sources said he was hospitalised, despite his unwillingness, in view of Cyclone Yaas and power cut fears.

Physicians said the CPM stalwart, a patient for years of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was brought in with drowsiness and shortness of breath. He has been on BiPAP support with three litres of oxygen and oxygen saturation at 92 per cent, but is conscious and alert.