Hills see spike in Covid-19 cases Five cases detected in Darjeeling, seven in Kalimpong; GTA chairman appeals for calm, support

SNS, SILIGURI, 7 JUNE 2020: At least 12 cases of Covid- 19 have been detected in the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong. While Dareeling reported at least five cases, including for the first time in the Municipality area, Kalimpong district on the other hand reported seven new positive cases.

"A total of eight cases have been reported yesterday night, from which Darjeeling has two, Sukhia Pokari two, Bijanbari one and Naxalbari three," Darjeeling District Magistrate S Ponnambalam said.

According to the DM, the two from the Darjeeling Municipality area have travel history of Mumbai and Haryana, while the one from Bijanbari had returned from Kolkata reeently. According to him, the rest were "interstate returnees."

Health officials maintained that the patients have been taken to Dr Chhang's (Covid) hospital at Matigara in Siliguri, and that they have been tracking down their primary and secondary contacts.

In Kalimpong, sources said that seven people were found to be carrying the virus, added to the one person found positive yesterday.

Sources claimed that they belong to different areas like Pedong, Kumai, Samthar and Nimbong. Most of them is said to have returned from Delhi. among other places.

Commenting on the rise of positive cases here,Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chairman Anit Thapa said. "I have seen a rise in corona cases in the GTA region. I request all not to panic. We have already anticipated that post-lockdown, the cases of coronavirus would increase."

"I humbly request everyone, it is not a person we are fighting against, but the virus. Let us be humane in helping and supporting each other without any discrimination." he added.

He also said that by working together, "we could save the entire hills from any pandemic."

"A spike in positive cases is there and we all are working to make sure it doesn't spread, but we need equal effort from your end. I request you all to try and not go to public places unless very necessary," said Mr Thapa, adding that people need to be extra careful while going out and should follow all safety measures.

Ten more in Malda

In Malda, 10 more migrant workers tested positve for the virus last night, taking the total number of affected persons in the district to 223. Among the fresh cases, six are from Kaliachak-II, three from Harishchandrapur-II and one from Ratua-I blocks. Another level-II SARI Hospital is going to be set up at the Manikchak Model School with 50 beds, officials said.

18 new cases in Alipurduar district

Alipurduar district meanwhile, recorded 18 new Covid 19 cases today, which include nine in Alipurduar Block-II, five in Kalchini and one in Alipurduaz town. All the persons had returned from outside the district recently, sources said.

Alipurduar district has recorded 138 Covid- 19 case; so far, it Ls learnt.

Eight in Siliguri sub-div

Eight positive cases were recorded in the Siliguri Sub Division in the past 24 hours. Among the fresh cases are a house keeping staff of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, a resident of Ward 46 under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, three residents of Naxalbari block and three others, health department sources said.

Patients discharged

An eight-year-old girl from Malda suffering from blood cancer and a l2-day- old baby of a tea worker of Naxalbari block were released from the dedicated hospital for Covid 19 patients in Siliguri today.