Total lockdown in Siliguri as Covid-19 cases surge - Highestsingle-day spike of 79 cases reported in town; two more patients die

SNS, SILIGURI, 16 July 2020 : 47 wards in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) will go back to total lockdown for seven days, effective 9 am tomorrow, even as the town reported its highest single-day spike in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Sources said at least 79 cases have been freshly detected in different areas under the SMC. A decision to this effect was taken a day after state home secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay issued an order on a comprehensive lock-down in the wake of the steady rise in Covid-19 cases, particularly in Siliguri.

State tourism minister Gautam Deb announced the lockdown decision after a meeting of the Darjeeling district level task force in Siliguri today

"Discussions were held about the situation. It has been decided that there will be a complete lockdown in the SMC area, comprising all 47 wards, from 9 am tomorrow for seven days. The number of Covid-19 cases has been on the rise since the 'unlock period' and the chain of the virus has to be broken. Essential and emergency services will, however, be exempted from the lockdown," Mr Deb said.

More than 800 cases have been reported in the civic body area so far, and around 35 persons who had tested positive for Covid-19 have died here.

District administrative officials said all government and private offices, except those providing essential and emergency services, treasury, banks, PDS, disaster management, will remain dosed. All religious and social activities will also be prohibited, except marriages and last rites of the dead, which can be done with proper guidelines.

Bista grateful

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said he was grateful to the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri district administrations for finally declaring a complete lock-down in Siliguri.

'The lives of our people are precious, and at times we need to take hard decisions to save these lives. As I have said many times in the past, Lockdown is the only way to break the Covid chain. In this regard, I am most thankful to all the traders' body, transportation organizations and concerned citizens who have joined my call in support for a complete lock-down in Siliguri city " he said.

"I request all our people to kindly support the lockdown and do not venture out from homes, unless it is absolutely necessary," he added.

Two die in Siliguri

Meanwhile, a 40-year-old resident of Haidarpara under Ward 39 in Siliguri died in the Covid hospital today.

The swab test report of a resident of Sukanta Pally in Siliguri, who died yesterday, was also tested positive today. Sources said the 64-year- old person was declared brought-dead at the Siliguri District Hospital yesterday.

Family members file police complaint

Family members of a Covid- 19 victim of Ward-17 filed a police complaint, demanding punishment for some officials of the health department and against Dr Chhang' s Super Specialty Hospital for allegedly keeping them in the dark over the death of the personon 23 June. In the complaint, they alleged that neither the health department nor the hospital, which has been taken over by the state government for Covid-19 treatment, informed them of the death. Family members have said they were not able to pay their respects before cremation.They also alleged that ever since admission in the hospital, they were not informed of his health condition. The health department has ruled out the charges.

Whopping 94 fresh Covid cases in Malda

Malda topped the charts in north Bengal again as it today reported a whopping 94 new Covid infections, the highest single-day spike so far in the district.The fresh cases include a one-year-old child and senior citizens.

"Banks and police stations have now become sources of infection as these are places where people visit in large numbers. Five persons from a nationalised bank in English Bazaar and two from the Harishchandrapur branch were tested positive for the coronavirus last night," sources said.

A total of 21 policemen have also been infected so far, nine in Harishchandrapur, three in Kaliachak, six in Malda and three in the Ratua police station. Moreover, 19 samples among the fresh cases are from Ratua, an area that had not seen such spike so far. The new cases also included two employees of the office of the district magistrate.

39 more in S Dinajpur

In South Dinajpur district, 39 new Covid patients were detected, including 18 from the district headquarters of Balurghat. Among the fresh cases are one from the rural area of Balurghat, one from Gangarampur, two from Kumarganj, two in Hili, three in Kushmandi, four from Harirampur and four from Buniadpur.

Ten employees of a cooperative bank have also been infected. The bank already downed shutters this morning.

Five cases in Kurseong sub-division

Five new Covid cases were also reported from the Kurseong sub-division area today.

The cases include three migrant workers from Bihar, who had reached Makaibari in Kurseong on 6 July to work in a construction project, but were quarantined in Makaibari since that very day.

Also, a police officer at the Tindharia Police Out-Post and alocal resident there tested positive for Covid- 19 today, sources said.

"With the help of the Kurseong fire brigade and others concerned, all the infected places have been disinfected as a precautionary measure," sources said.

Asok concerned

Stressing on up-gradation of the health infrastructure to fight Covid-19, chairman of the board of administrators of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) Asok Bhattacharya have expressed concerns. In a letter to thief minister Mamata Banerjee, Mr Bhattacharya has said that around 50 persons on an average are getting infected by Covid- 19 in the town every day. According to him, on an average, three-four deaths are also taking place. He said the health infrastructure was weak in north Bengal, and there is a lack of trained doctors and health workers. Mr Bhattacharya suggested that a team of expert doctors and 50 young doctors be prepared.

(Courtesy & source- The Statesman-https://epaper.thestatesman.com/2750947/Siliguri-The-Statesman/16TH-JULY-2020#page/2/2)