The state health department will take a decision on the announcement of micro containment zones in north Bengal after the declaration of the Assembly election results on May 2.

Sushanta Roy, deputed by the state government as the officer on special duty for Covid-19 in north Bengal, said on Friday that the decision would be made in consultation with district administrations.

“There is an apprehension that the number of Covid cases will increase in May and June. That is why it has been planned to identify areas where the number of cases are high and declare those as micro containment zones, instead of declaring a general lockdown in a town or a village. The health department is preparing a map in this regard and after May 2, steps would be taken to declare such zones,” said Roy.

The OSD also elaborated on some of the plans drawn up by the health department to handle the Covid situation in north Bengal. Over the past few weeks, like other parts of the country, there has been a steady surge in infections in the north Bengal, especially in Malda, the entire Siliguri subdivision and Jalpaiguri.

“It has been decided to install oxygen generator machines at three hospitals in Jalpaiguri. Also, a 20-bed HDU (high dependency unit) will be opened at the subdivisional hospital in Malbazar for Covid patients,” he said.

The health department has also planned to use the railway hospital at New Jalpaiguri for treatment of Covid patients.

“I inspected the hospital where a facility with 55 beds will be created for Covid patients. The department has in possession of 30-odd beds at a private nursing home in Siliguri. Work is going on to add around 90 beds to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital,” said Roy.

On May 1, he will join as the officer on special duty in the state health and family welfare department and continue to work on health issues pertaining to north Bengal, said sources.