The number of Covid-19 infections went up across north Bengal like in the rest of the state on Thursday.

In the region, 650 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, which brought up the number of active cases or Covid patients under treatment to 1,506.

The highest number of fresh infections were reported in Malda (201), followed by Darjeeling (179) and Jalpaiguri (91). Four people died in the past 24 hours.

“In past three days, the number of Covid patients have increased around three-fold. Considering the current trend, there is always a chance that the numbers will climb further. In Siliguri, the chance of a rise in numbers is much higher as the civic polls are ahead and all political parties are involved in various political activities,” said a general physician of the city.

The total number of new cases reported across north Bengal was 237 on Tuesday, which climbed to 483 on Wednesday and to 650 on Thursday.
On Thursday, a number of doctors, nurses, paramedics and other staff serving in all four medical colleges of north Bengal tested positive.

“So far, healthcare facilities provided in these medical colleges (located in Siliguri outskirts, Raiganj, Malda and Cooch Behar) have not suffered owing to these infections. But the infection chain needs to be broken, or else more people associated with these establishments would get infected and that can affect the medical care of patients,” said a doctor posted in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri.

Sushanta Roy, the officer on special duty deputed by the state health department in the region, and Alok Rajoria, deputy inspector-general of Malda range have contracted the infection.

“The number of cases is comparatively fewer in the region (north Bengal) vis-à-vis the rate of fresh cases reported in Calcutta and some other southern districts. However, the risk is always there as north Bengal is a transit point to the Northeast, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, and thousands of people move in through the borders every day, especially into Siliguri,” said Roy.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that persons entering interstate borders that surround Bengal must get RT-PCR tests done so that their Covid status is ascertained.

“This can help us to check the unbridled movement of people through the interstate borders of Assam and Bihar,” said an administrative official.
Though the number of cases have gone up in north Bengal, the situation is much better in the neighbouring state of Sikkim.

During the past few days, around eight to 10 new Covid cases have been reported in the Himalayan state, said sources.