Bengal for the third consecutive day on Thursday reported a drop in total active Covid-19 cases with another new high in daily recoveries at 3,945, taking its recovery rate past 88 per cent for the first time.

Though its total active cases — 37,094 on Thursday, down from 37,190 on Monday — account for over 6 per cent of the national total, Bengal has not seen such a spell of fall since the 15-day streak that ended on September 7.

The state on Thursday also reported 3,989 new cases and 61 deaths.

The total Covid-19 cases in Bengal went past 3.65 lakh, including nearly 3.22 lakh recoveries and 6,725 deaths.

Bengal’s recovery rate, which had fallen to 87.43 on October 20, became 88.02 on Thursday, inching towards the national rate of 90.98.

“Much depends on the numbers we get over the next seven-10 days. But if these immediate post-Puja numbers are indicative of a trend, we are looking at an incredible turnaround for the state,” said the minister. He added that even if the turnaround happens, Bengal had to cover a lot of the ground it lost for over a month till Durga Puja.

Bengal is fourth among states with the most active cases, after Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka. Delhi is fifth. These five states have 59 per cent of India’s active cases.

Bengal’s overall mortality rate is 1.83 now, still behind the national rate of 1.49 per cent.