Two die in Siliguri; 85 cases in Darj dist

SNS, SILIGURI, 20 JULY 2020 : Two more persons who had tested positive for Covid- 19 have died in Siliguri.

A resident of Ward 12 died in the respiratory intensive care unit of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital today. Sources said the 50-year old had been ill for along time. Another 50-year-old person hailed from Islampur in North Dinajpur district and he died at the dedicated hospital meant for Covid-19 patients at Kawakhali today.

Meanwhile, sources said Darjeeling district recorded around 85 Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. Naxalbari block witnessed a steady rise of 34 cases, while Matigara block registered 10.

Siliguri Municipal Corporation area detected 73 cases, including 42 cases of the Darjeeling district.

Covid group starts work

The Siliguri chapter of Covid Care Network, a group of doctors and Covid survivors, mainly health care workers, started work today. To respond to queries from people and help them in medical intervention through the 24x7 helpline number (18008891817), there will be five persons-the post graduate trainees, house staff of North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) and a doctor-in every shift.,

The coordinator of the network and associate professor of pathology at the NBMCH, Dr Kalyan Khan, said gastroenterologist Dr Ashokananda Konar will be available for consultation on video call tomorrow.

65 fresh cases In Malda

English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) in Malda today saw a steep rise in the number of Covid-19 cases. Forty-eight of the total 65 fresh cases were found in the area in tests conducted in the Malda Medical College and Hospital last night, sources said.

Sources added that the new cases include officials at the District Magistrate's office, bank employees, a lecturer of the Gour Banga University, a bus depot official, and the people in general, and all are residents of the EBM area.

Meanwhile, police took strict action this morning to maintain the extended lock-down. "The entry and exit points of the EBM area are under strict vigil, but residents are irresponsible as they try to venture out onthe streets without any valid reason," sources said.