Four die in Siliguri, 32 new cases in SMC areas - Family 'in dark' about death -Panic in Kaliyaganj -IGP in Malda

SNS, SILIGURI, 24 JUNE: Patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 continue to die in Siliguri, while four of them died today in the highest single day death tally in the entire north Bengal. All the persons died in the Desun (Covid) Hospital at Kawakhali here.

The frequent deaths this month have raised eyebrows, while concerns are being expressed at the healthcare system, prompting the health department to upgrade the infrastructure at the dedicated hospitals.

Also, two persons died in the isolation ward and the respiratory intensive care unit of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) today. However, their swab samples tested negative forCovid-19, sources said.

Among the dead, three persons were residents of Siliguri and its outskirt while another hailed from North Dinajpur district.The four were a 60-year-old woman from Fulbari in Jalpaiguri district, a 44-year-old resident of Khalpara,Ward 9 in Siliguri, a 70- year-old person of Mallaguri in Ward 46, and a 35-year-old resident of PanjiPara, North Dinajpur district.

Since 5 June, 18 persons from the Siliguri Sub-Division and Jalpaiguri and North Dinajpur districts have died in two separate dedicated Covid hospitals in Siliguri and the MBMCH. The average age group of the deceased is 70.

Health department officials attributed the patients serious condition during admission for the deaths, concurrent diseases failed co-morbidities, and also old age. Since 5 April, 14 persons have died in Darjeeling district, of whom, 12 were residents of SMC areas.

"It cannot be denied that when the recovery rate has been steadily increasing, there are some deaths also. Of the two dedicated hospitals, most of the deaths are taking place at the hospital at Kawakhali, which earlier used to cater to suspected Covid-19 patients. Steps with all medical support are being ensured to save patients' lives. At this situation. there are co-morbid patients, while acute infectiors and old age trigger complications. The other illnesses make such persons more vulnerable to Covid-19," said an official.

Darjeeling district chief medical officer of health Dr Pralay Acharya said the health department will upgrade the infrastructure at the Kawakhali hospital.

" We are taking necessary steps, the infrastructure of the hospital at Kawakhali will be developed, while more expert technicians and nursing staff will be provided." he said.

32 new cases in SMC areas

In another highest intraday jump in the number of positive cases, the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) registered 32 new cases today.

Mirik doctor, nurses test positive for Covid-19

Also today a doctor at the Mirik Block Primary Health Centre in Darjeeling and three nurses there were tested positive for the virus, sources said. According to the sources, the doctor from the plains also used to visit Covid hospitals in Siliguri as part of his job.

Family 'in dark' about death

Family members of a 64-year-old resident of Ward 17, ho died in the Covid hospital at Matigara yesterday, alleged that they were kept in the dark about the death.The person was admitted in the hospital after he had tested positive on 20 June." We got information on social media yesterday that a resident of the ward had died, but the age given there did not match my father's. They did not bother to inform the fa mily of the most unfortunate incident like death of a family member. I came to know only today that he had already been cremated. How can they do this?" said the son of the deceased.

According to state government rules, family members of a person who dies of Covid-19, will be asked to see the body and pay last respects. However, the last rites will be performed by the civic body authorities in accordance with the health department guidelines. Local people in the ward also said the incident was "inhuman." "Health department officials had assured us that the hospital would keep updating us, but after that we did not get any information. When we tried to contact on the numbers given, they were either engaged or not available," the son added.

Surprisingly, the health department also allegedly did not ask family members to remain in isolation after the person had tested positive and also did not take steps to collect their swab samples."Our swab samples were collected only today." a family member said. When asked. Dr Acharya said he would look into the allegations.

Panic in Kaliyaganj

A locality in Kaliyaganj in North Dinajpur district went into a panic mode after seven healthcare providers were tested positive for Covid -19. The seven had been working as Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) and Accredited Social Health Activists(ASHA). "While one of them is a resident of Ward 10 in Kaliyaganj Municipality the others are residents of different villages in the block," a source said.

The Block Medical Officer of Health of Kaliyaganj, Dr Sandip Bag, said the relatives of the seven and close contacts have been quarantined. The Chairman of the Kaliyaganj Municipality, Kartick Chandra Patel, said they visited the locality today and the health worker's home today and sanitized the area.

IGP in Malda

Inspector General of police (North Bengal), Bishal Garg, today enquired about the health of corona-affected police personnel of Malda as he visited the district to review the police deparanent infrastructure. He also inaugurated a sanitization tunnel at the police line under the English Bazaar police station and talked on video call with corona-positive police personnel admitted in the COVID Hospital in Narayartpur under the Malda police station. "Police officers are working day and night against the corona pandemic and I wish them good health," Mr Garg said. Meanwhile, six more Covid-19 cases were detected in Malda last night, sources said.