Three MPs from north Bengal 'positive'

                        Chettri, Majumdar, Roy undergo tests before parliament session

-  Four persons die- 80 fresh cases in Darjeeling district- 40 cases in Malda 35 in North Dinajpur-20 in S Dinajpur-36 in Alipurduar -Vice-president hails Siliguri e-rickshaw driver

SNS, SILIGURI, 13 SEPTEMBER 20 : Three Members of Parliament from north Bengal have tested positive for Covid - 19. According to sources, Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar, Jalpaiguri MP Jayanta Roy and Rajya Sabha member from the Hills, Shanta Chettri. had undergone tests as they had been asked to furnish 'Covid negative reports' to attend the parliament's monsoon session that begins tomorrow.

Mrs Chettri, who is also a member of the state steering committee of the Trinamul Congress, said she had been feeling "uncomfortable with a throat problem," and that she thought it could he due to her several programmes and speeches that she delivered in the past few days.

"I have no other symptoms, besides the throat problem," she said, adding that she was supposed to leave for Delhi today for the parliament session.

According to her, parliamentarians have been asked to report to the Rajya Sabha with negative Covid reports.

"Accordingly I underwent antigen tests for Covid-19 at the Darjeeling Sadar hospital yesterday. The report came positive," she said.

She also requested all those who had come in contact with her in the past few days to go for Covid tests and remain in isolation.

Sources said she has been admitted in the Desun (Covid) hospital in Siliguri.

When contacted for comment, Hill TMC President LB Rai, who had attended some programmes with Mrs Chettri until Saturday last, said he has already directed all those who had attended yesterday's meeting in Darjeeling and were in contact with Mrs Chettri to undergo tests and remain in home quarantine.

While the Balurghat MP tested positiw in Delhi, he has urged his party leaders back home to undergo tests.

Four persons die

Four persons who had tested positive for Covid- 19 died in Siliguri in the past 24 hours. Sources said a 45year-old resident of Lodhama, an 81-year-old from Batasia in Darjeeling and a 65- year- old resident of Kotwali in Cooch Behar died at Dr Chhang's Covid Hospital. A 51-year-old resident of Oodlabari in Jalpaiguri district died at a private nursing home.

80 fresh cases in Darjeeling district

Meanwhile, Darjeeling district recorded 80 fresh cases in the past 24 hours. A total of 47 cases were found in the Siliguri Municipal Corporation area, 29 in areas falling in the district. Sukna near Siliguri recorded a spike with 28 cases, while 10 cases were found in Naxalbari, three in Matigara and one in Kharibari blocks, sources said. Six cases were from Darjeeling Municipality and three from Kurseong Municipality.

Sources said 67 patients had recovered today.

Vice-president hails Siliguri e-rickshaw driver

Indian Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu today praised a woman e-rickshaw driver of Siliguri, Munmun Sarkar, for carrying Covid-19 patients to hospitals free of cost.

"Greatly appreciate the selfless service of Smt Munmun Sarkar in ferrying Covid19 patients free of charge to hospitals in her e-rickshaw in Siliguri, West Bengal. By braving all odds & carrying on with her noble work, she has set an example to others," Mr Naidu tweeted on the official Twitter account of the Vice President of India.

In her late 40s, Mrs Sarkar, who has ferried more than 100 patients, said she felt proud and honoured. "I have never thought that someone like the Vice President of lndia would acknowledge my work. Such appreciation will inspire me to continue the good work for society," she said.

40 cases in Malda

Malda district reported 40 more Covid cases in 1078 tests conducted last night at theVRDL in the Malda Medical College and Hospital. Four other rapid antigen samples tested positive for the virus in the district .

35 in North Dinajpur

North Dinajpur reported 35 fresh cases in the past 24 hours, sources said.The district tally has now crossed the 2800 mark.

20 in S Dinajpur

Only 20 caseswere detected in South Dinajpur district in the past 24 hours. Of the 1226 samples collected, 1062 were tested in the Balurghat hospital through the TrueNat machine and antigen tests.

36 in Alipurduar

Thirty-six fresh caseswere detected in Alipurduar in the past 24 hours, sources said. The fresh cases have taken the tally in the district to 3136, with 12 deaths so far.