Hill closure hint as virus spreads

SNS, DARJEELING,  19 JULY 2020 : As three more Covid positive cases were reported in Kalimpong district, the Gorkhaland TerritorialAdministration (GTA) Chairman, AnitThapa, today said that there could be a possibility of the GTA area coming under lockdown if the situation worsens and if people do not take precautionary measures.

Mr Thapa today held a meeting with the Kalimpong administration and other officials to discuss the up-gradation of the Tribeni hospital to Level-IV Covid Hospital.

Asked about the Covid-19 cases in Kalimpong, District Magistrate R Vimala said, "Three positive cases were reported in Kalimpong district yesterday and they have been sent in the safe home here as they are asymptomatic and are in good health. They have been kept under medical supervision. As present protocol, seeing their present location within 100 metres, it has been made into a containment zone."

According to sources, the three include a man from the 7th Mile area who had no travel history, but that his brother had tested positive some days ago. Another is from Bong Gram Panchayat near Ward-12 who had come from Bihar and one from Rousey Bazaar, a migrant worker, who had returned from North Dinajpur. All the three were in home quarantine. Locals in Bong Grant Panchayat have closed down shops at Baagdhara for a week as a precautionary measure.

On the other hand, speaking after the meeting at Tribeni hospital, Mr Thapa said, "Covid cases in north Bengal are on the rise, along with the death rate. In Siliguri, there were only a few cases earlier, and the numbers have now increased manifold even after the administrationt tied to control it. Such few cases have also started to surface in the GTA area now. People here seem to have lost the fear for Covid they had earlier and are not concerned."

"We cannot say that the hills are secure as positive cases are being found here like in Kurseong. It seems that the fight against Covid has just started in the hills with increase in cases. It is the people that have to be more aware if we are to control the spread.They have to maintain social distancing, wear masks and only come out if they have important work. If people cannot do all this and the rise in the number of cases cannot be controlled then a tough decision will have to be taken," said Mr Thapa, who, when asked, also said a lockdown was possible if the situation worsened.

"We should have no regrets later, and it is best we take a decision before everything is affected. The situation at Sukna is also deteriorating, and if it cannot be brought under control, I will be forced to announce a lockdown there," he said.

Mr Thapa added that the Tribeni hospital was equipped to treat Covid patients, and that it had facilities like ventilators, dialysis machine, TrueNat machine, among others. He said, Covid patients with symptoms will be treated there, while asymptomatic ones will be kept in safe homes.