Two die in NBMCH, they test positive for Covid-19 - Premier health institute in a fix after rising virus cases among its staff - Fish market closed

SNS, SILIGURI, 11 JUNE 2020: Two persons undergoing treatment in the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) died today. Their reports later showed they had tested positive for Covid 19. The deceased were residents of Champasari in Siliguri and Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district. The 55-year old Siliguri resident was admitted with lever ailme

nt, while the 30-year-old Ngrakata patient was suffering from respiratory problems. Both were admitted in the hospital yesterday.

"Tests reports came after their deaths and the results confirmed Covid -19," NBMCH sources said.

Meanwhile, at least seven persons in Wards, induding 19, 43 and 46, in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) area were found Covid-19 positive today. One person was also tested positive in a paid quarantine in a hotel.

The fish market at the Siliguri Regulated Market will, meanwhile, be closed for sevendays, beginning tomorrow, "as containment measures in view of few positive cases linked to the market." Darjeeling District Magistrate S Ponnambalam said. He also said that 31 patients were released today from Dr Chhang's (Covid) hospital after they were cured.

On the other hand, the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) has been facing an uphill task when it comes to ensuring healthcare services as a number of medical staff, including doctors and nurses, have now been infected with Covid 19. According to sources at north Bengal's premier health institution, 15 staff, including seven doctors, nurses andother health care staff, have been tested positive for the virus, while around 40 others have been quarantined.

It is learnt that departments like medicine, gynecology and surgery are facing an acute shortage of manpower. The authorities are allowing healthcare personnel, who have completed their quarantine period, to resume duty. Sources said there are around 150 interns, 70-80 house staff, around 150 PGTs and 50 doctors associated with health services, along with 250 faculties.

With the medical service providers getting infected, many including non-medical employees, have expressed concern about their safety.

"We work closely with the doctors and medical staff, but we do not know who are infected. Therefore, we are deeply concerned about our protection." said a casual employee.

They met NBMCH authorities today to express their apprehensions and demanded personal protection equipment for their safety.

"We are ensuring healthcare services by adjusting with the present situation, said NBMCH superintendent Dr Kausik Samajdar.

17 more cases in Malda

Seventeen more cases of the novel coronavirus were detected in Malda last night. The total number of affected in the district has goneup to 249. According to sources, among the 878 tests conducted yesterday, five positive cases are from Ratua-I, four in Chanchal-I, three from Ratua-II, two from Manikchak, and one from English Bazaar.

Four more in North Dinalpur

In North Dinajpur, four more positive cases were detected in the past 24 hours in Raiganj. The total number of cases in the district is now 218. According to officials at the health department in the district, 208 patients have recovered so far, while there are only 10 active cases in the district.

Officials of the district administration have now planned to set up another Covid hospital in the Islampur sub-division very soon.

"A Covid hospital in the sub-division is the need of the hour as the number of cases is rising. We have already been given permission by the state to set up a new Covid hospital in Islampur sub-division." the Chairman of the Rogi Kalyan Samity of the Islampur Sub-Divisional hospital, Kanaiyalal Agarwal, said.

Alipurduar reports one

Alipurduar district also reported one new Covid-19 case in Alipurduar town today. It is learnt that the patient had returned from Bangalore on 21 May and was quarantined in a hotel in Alipurduar town.

On the other hand, a Covid task force for Alipurduar town met toda,y. with the Alipurduar SDO, who is the administrator of the Alipurduar municipalit,y. presiding over the same.