The number of coronavirus cases continued to climb across north Bengal on Sunday, prompting health officials to make arrangements for more beds at Covid-19 hospitals.

According to sources in the Bengal health department, the Covid-19 cases in the region crossed the 1,100 mark on Sunday.

The health department has already planned a third Covid-19 hospital in Siliguri as beds are almost full at two private nursing homes earmarked for the treatment of the disease.

“Around 115 patients are under treatment at the two existing Covid-19 hospitals and some suspected patients have been admitted to the isolation ward at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. That is why a third hospital has been planned here,” said a source in the state health department.

On Sunday, seven new cases were found at Kshudiram Colony, on the outskirts of Siliguri.

In Jalpaiguri district, 12 new patients were detected on Sunday. Total positive cases recorded in the district is over 200 now.

“There are 300 beds at the existing Covid-19 hospital that has been opened at the Biswa Bangla Krirangan (a sports complex) in Jalpaiguri. We have already added 75 more beds at the facility and there are plans to add some more beds,” said Sushanta Roy, the officer on special duty appointed by the state government for north Bengal.

The Malda district reported 55 new cases on Sunday. There is a plan for a 150-bed Covid-19 hospital at the Malda Medical College and Hospital.

Sikkim patients

The number of Covid-19 patients in Sikkim climbed to 63 with five new cases being reported on Sunday.

“The new patients are returnees and are from west and east districts of the state. They are asymptomatic and were staying in institutional quarantine facilities,” a source said.

The Sikkim government has decided to test the swab samples of all 12 bus drivers who had ferried the positive patients to the state.

“We are also testing the swab samples of 190 frontline workers who were posted at the two entry points of the state. Screening camps would be conducted to test all such workers in next few days in a phased manner,” the source said.