Officials worried as Covid cases rise Covid-positive, health staff with co-morbidities dies

SNS, SILIGURI, 13 JUNE 2020: Ward-46 under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) has recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases, around 13, in the last few days. Nine positive cases were reported from the ward since 10 June, while one case was detected today. Another person in Ward 45 was also tested positive today, sources said.

Also today, a paramedical staff at the Phansidewa Hospital in Siliguri sub-division, died at the Desun (Covid) Hospital, where he was admitted yesterday. It is learnt that the 56-year-old was a resident of Kalamjote in Matigara. Darjeeling CMOH Pralay Acharya said he was tested positive for Covid- 19, but that he also had some co-morbidities. It is learnt that the man had been visiting quarantine centres as part of his job and that he also underwent treatment in two private nursing homes in Siliguri before he was admitted to Desun Hospital.

It may be mentioned here that a resident of Ward-46, who had tested positive for the virus, died at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) on 11 June.

The health department and the civic body are, meanwhile, in a tizzy as area has seen a spike in the number of cases. Officials said 57 positive cases have been recorded in the SMC area as of today,  of which 39 cases fall in wards in Darjeeling district and 18 in the added wards that fall under Jalpaiguri district.

"Many people from other states have returned and staying in the ward. In many cases, we have observed that the patients had travel history.

The Siliguri Regulated Market is located in this ward. Around two-three persons who frequented the market have tested positive." said a civic body official.

A member of the board of administrators, health, at the SMC, Sankar Ghosh, expressed concerns at the situation.

"We are making the locals aware of the situation and telling them of the necessity for extreme alertness," Mr Ghosh said. Ten areas of eight wards--1, 5, 17, 18, 28, 43, 45, and 46 have been declared as containment zones. Sources said four places in ward 46 fall under this zone.

Concerns over NBMCH deaths

Concerns have been expressed over the frequent deaths at the NBMCH. Four persons admitted in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit and another person in the isolation ward died between 11 and 12 June there. Though three have tested negative for Covid-19, the report of another person could not be had.

On the other hand, two persons admitted in the NBMCH With lever ailment and respiratory problems died on 11 June, and test reports later confirmed they were infected with Covid-19.

"Any death is unfortunate. There is no question of negligence, and we have tried our level best to save lives. They were all admitted in serious condition. However, we will look into what exactly led to their deaths," said a senior doctor at the NBMCH.

NBMCH principal Prof Prabir Kumar Deb said health services and treatment were ensured for the patients. "We always take steps to save the lives of the patients by providing them necessary treatment," he said.

Asok for testing labs

The chairperson of the board of administrators for the SMC,Asok Bhattacharya, has requested Chief minister Mamata Banerjee to take steps to setup at least two more laboratories for conducting Covid 19 tests, two more Covid hospitals in north Bengal, and increase in the number of quarantine facilities district-wise. In a letter, Mr Bhattatharya requested Miss Banerjee to send an experts team to north Bengal to carry out a comprehensive review and take opinions from the people.   

Darjeeling DM alerts traders

Darjeeling district magistrateS Ponnambalam has said legal steps will be taken if the "preventive guidelines" for Covid- 19 were flouted at the markets. Mr Ponnarnbalam today visited the vegetable market at Khudiram Pally and Bidhan market in Siliguri

A separate government-level committee for markets under the SMC has been constituted to ensure that the markets follow the specific guidelines "We are making the traders aware that for the protection and containing of Covid- 19 it is very important that they strictly adhere to the guidelines. But if the guidelines are ignored, there are provisions in the law to take action," Mr Ponnambalam said.

Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) vice-chairman Nantu Paul said traders should understand the gravity of the situation.

In Malda 11 more samples, among the 704 tested have been found positive for the virus. Sources said a guard of the MMCH, who is a resident of the English Bazaar municipal area, was also found positive.