Malda Covid-19 spike back, Two die in Siliguri, one in Alipurduar, Darjeeling district reports 99 new infections

SNS, SILIGURI, 22 AUGUST 2020 : The four day down-ward trend in Malda district ended with a whopping 126 cases detected in tests conducted at the VRDL in the Malda Medical College and Hospital last night.

Every block of the district had one fresh case last night, sources said Among the blocks, Ratua- I had 19, Harishchandrapur-I and Ratua-II had 16 each, Habibpur and Manikchak had 12 each, and English Bazaar had 11.There were eight new cases in the English Bazaar Municipality also. Malda has now over 4300 cases with 27 deaths and over 800 active cases, sources said.

In the past four days, the district had reported fewer Covid cases.

Deaths in Siliguri continue

A 75-year-old resident of Islampur in North Dinajpur died in the Desun (Covid) Hospital in Siliguri today, sources said, adding that one more person died in the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. Sources said the person at the NBMCH had also tested positive for Covid- 19.

Meanwhile, Darjeeling district recorded 99 cases, while the Siliguri Muncipal Corporation (SMC) saw 43 new cases, including areas that fall in Jalpaiguri district, official sources said.

Eighteen cases were found in Naxalbari, 22 in Matigara, two in Kharibari, and two in Phansidewa blocks of Darjeeling district in the plains. Sources said four cases were also detected in areas under Kurseong Municipality, 10 in DarjeeingMunicipality, seven at Takdah, three in Sukhia Pokhari, one in Pulbazaar and two in areas under Kurseong Sub-division.

23 patients recover

Health department sources said 23 persons have been discharged from government-run facilities for Covid-19 patients and home isolation.

Woman dies in A'duar

In Alipurduar, a 67-year-old woman from Alipurduar town, who was suffering fromAcute Respiratory Distress Syndrome died in the Topsikha Covid hospital this morning, sources said. The total number of Covid cases in the district has gone up to 892, with 12 deaths, health official sources said.

Army refutes reports

Meanwhile, the Indian Army refuted reports of Covid19 cases in the Army under Darjeeling district on 20 August. The Statesman had quoted top official sources as saying that 52 Covid- 19 cases were found in the Army that day.

The Army, however, said in a statement that the report was inaccurate.

"COVID is fully under control in the Army. Further, quarantine mechanism is robust and hence there is no risk of any spread from the Army. The Indian Army takes its responsibilities towards Covid precautions seriously and shall continue to do so in the future too," a clarification issued by the Army at Sukna near Siliguri said today.