One dies in Siliguri; 98 new Covid cases in Darj district

'Dip' in Covid cases in Siliguri,  845 rapid antigen tests had been conducted in the Siliguri MC area, and 59 persons were found positive, while 786 people had been negative. Plea to verify allegations against Dr. Chhang's Covid Hospital

SNS, SILIGURI, 12 SEPTEMBER 20: A 65-year- old resident of Fulbari in Siliguri died at the dedicated hospital for the Covid19 patients at Kawakhali, Desun Hospital, in Siliguri today sources said.

Meanwhile, 98 Covid-19 cases were found in Darjeeling district in the past 24 hours, sources said. The Siliguri Municipal Corporation recorded 32 cases, of which 24 were found in areas falling in the district. Sukna near Siliguri registered a spike with 17 cases.

Ten cases were also found in Matigara, 10 in Naxalhari, seven in Kharibari, and one case in Phansidewa blocks.

Fourteen cases have been reported from Pulbazaar, five in Darjeeling Municipality, four in Mirik, four at Sukhia Pokhari, one in Kurseong Municipality, and one case at Takdah.

The sources further said that 45 patients had recovered and completed their home isolation today

'Dip' in Covid cases

As SMC registers a declining trend of Covid -19 cases, Member of the Board of Administrators, health, Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC), Shankar Ghosh, today said that growing awareness levels among the people and scientific management may have helped reduce the cases.

According to him, 845 rapid antigen tests had been conducted in the civic body area, and 59 persons were found positive, while 786 people had been negative so far.

Mr Ghosh said any person wanting to undergo antigen tests could contact the SMC helpline number 8016277748 (8 am to 8pm).

He said 85 persons had been admitted in the 'safe home' at the Siliguri Municipal Corporation Indoor Stadium, of whom 46 had been discharged and 11 had been referred to dedicated hospitals for Covid-19 treatment.

Plea to verify allegations

Meanwhile, Mr Ghosh said he had requested the Darjeeling district administration to verify allegations against Dr Chhang's (Covid) hospital at Matigara after a Siliguri resident expressed grievances through social media.

"The post went viral. We did not verify the authenticity of the allegations levelled by a resident against a dedicated hospital for Covid-19. I have requested the district magistrate to check those allegations, because people may be worried. If there is something that can be done to address those issues, that should be done to build confidence among the people," he said.

60 cases in Malda

Malda reported 60 fresh cases from among the 862 tests if conducted last night, sources said. Habibpur and English Bazaar Municipality areas had the most infections of 15 and 11, respectively.