The nationwide second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a spike in cases across north Bengal, particularly in Darjeeling and Malda.

In north Bengal, the number of deaths and cases is around thrice of last year.

“Last year, the average number of daily cases (Covid infections) in the eight north Bengal districts in all was around 800. This time, it is around 2,300. Last year, the average death toll was five. Now, 15 to 20 deaths are being reported daily from the region,” said a health department source.

According to data, 2,351 cases and 21 deaths were reported in the region on May 18. On Wednesday (May 19), there were 2,259 new cases and 15 deaths.

The surge made the administration of each district and the health department come up with new plans, including oxygen plants and safe homes.

“In north Bengal, we have around 4,800 beds available in government hospitals, another 4,000 beds in safe homes and private clinics. More are being arranged. Also, work is on to set up oxygen plants in each district,” said Sushanta Roy, officer on special duty of state health and family welfare department in north Bengal.

In Siliguri, the local civic body plans to set up an oxygen “parlour” for people who need oxygen support. Gautam Deb, chairperson of the BoA of SMC, said they would start the service with 30-odd cylinders.

In Darjeeling, St Joseph’s School (North Point) on Thursday started a 50-bed safe home for Covid-19 patients in Darjeeling, the Sursum Corda Covid Care Centre.“Sursum Corda, the motto of St Joseph’s School and College in Darjeeling, means ‘Lift up your hearts’ in Latin,” said Fr Stanley Varghese, rector. “Planter’s Hospital and Yuma Nursing Home will give the safe home five doctors and eight nurses,” said Fr Varghese.

Political rivals Anit Thapa of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Binay Tamang camp) and Ajoy Edwards of the GNLF have joined hands to support the safe home.

Sikkim cases

In Sikkim, the number of fresh cases and deaths in the past month is equal to the number of cases and deaths reported in the preceding 15 months, said sources in the health department. Between February 28, 2020, and April 21, 2021, the state recorded 6,846 infections. But adding the figures of the past one month, the total number of infections so far is 11,994. The death toll has risen from 126 till April this year to an overall total of 217 now.

After reaching the all-time peak of 340 single-day infections on May 16, the positive cases in Sikkim have come down to 200s in the last four days.