Chennai man lands in Siliguri Covid hospital.. Helper of the ambulance, two truckers also admitted in isolation ward in NBMCH; in between, five who came in contact with the man at Dhupguri have been quarantined

SNS, 30 APRIL 2020, SILIGURI / ALIPURDUAR. An ambulance operator from Chennai was admitted in Dr Chang's Covid Hospital in Siliguri, while his helper and two truckers from Delhi were admitted in the isolation ward of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) with Covid-19 like symptoms today.

According to sources, the hearse operator had gone to Agartala in Tripura carrying patients from the southern state and that he tested positive for Covid-19 at the Agartala Medical College. Later, the Jalpaiguri district police spotted the ambulance at Dhupguri and sent them to the NBMCH.

In between, five persons who came in contact with the man at Dhupguri have been quarantined and other contacts are being traced.

Meanwhile, two truckers from Delhi were admitted in the isolation ward last night. According to sources, the district administration of Purnea in Bihar alerted the Darjeeling district administration that a lorry from Delhi was found in the Bidhannagar area near Siliguri. It requested the administration to act against two persons related to a Covid-19 case in the district on 27 April. Police traced them last night, while the health department said steps are being taken to trace their contacts.

Divisional commissioner meets IMCT: Jalpaiguri divisional commissioner Ajit Ranjan Bardhan today met the five members of the visiting Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) at the Siliguri Frontier Headquarters of the SSB at Ranidanga near Siliguri. It is learnt that discussions were held for around 30 minutes. Mr Bardhan, however, refused to comment on the meeting.

Sources said the team is not happy as the Siliguri police commissioner has refused to meet them in person despite repeated requests. while the team has pointed out to inadequate steps taken by the police to enforce the lockdown. According to sources the team may extend its stay and revisit some areas to check whether the situation has changed.

The IMCT that has been camping here since 20 April, assessing the Covid-19-related situation, has visited health facilities, containment zones, Covid treatment facilities, markets, quarantine centres, tea gardens, and shelter homes in Dareeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri districts. On the other hand, at a time when the state government has raised questions on the logic of two groups of the IMCT visiting the state, leaders of the opposition parties and lawmakers have said they were ready to discuss their observations if the team wants. Siliguri Mayor Asok Bhattacharya said that they would like to place their observations if the IMCT would desire so. According to him, the team would give them suggestions. State Congress working president and Matigara -Naxalbari MLA Sankar Malakar said the team should have met public representatives too. "They should have met public representatives for their views on the situation," Mr Malakar said.

Microbiologists, technicians feted: The health department felicitated microbiologists and technicians at Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratory, which conducts Covid-19 tests, at the NBMCH today. The lab team has been working tirelessly for hours as silent Covid-19 warriors, away from the spotlight. Officer on special duty for Covid-19 in north Bengal Dr Susanta Roy said the felicitation was held to encourage them. Till yesterday, 1941 swab tests were conducted at the VRDL.

Sample collection centre: A sample collection centre was introduced in the Siliguri District Hospital on Wednesday. "We have started collecting swabs of people admitted in the hospital. Those at the outdoor department, and hospital staff having fever, cold and cough." said hospital superintendent Dr Amitava Mondal. "we have set a target to collect 10 samples daily and send them to the VRDL at the NBMCH." he added.

Opening private OPDs and clinics: The officer on special duty for Covid-19 in north Bengal, Dr Susanta Roy, has said discussed with the Indian Medical Association in Siliguri on whether private clinics and OPDs can resume operations by following health guidelines.