Two Covid-19 patients from D'ling succumb

SNS, DARJEELING. 22 APRIL 21 : As the 'second wave' of coronavirus hits the region, two deaths of Covid- 19 patients were reported from Darjeeling Hills today. While a 52-yearold woman from Darjeeling Municipality area died in the Darjeeling District Hospital late yesterday night, another woman from Sukhia Pokhari died at a hospital in Siliguri.

According to the Darjeeling Hospital's District Medical Officer of Health, Dr S Chanda, the woman was taken to the hospital yesterday and a Rapid Antigen Test done. He said the woman tested positive for the virus and that she died after a couple of hours.

Her oxygen levels were low and less than 50 percent. As her health condition was deteriorating, we did not transfer her to a Covid hospital in fear that something might happen on the way. She was given a high flow of oxygen, but her condition did not improve," Dr Chanda said.

He added that the family numbers of the woman were in isolation and that they would be tested if they showed symptoms. According to them, Darjeeling hospital was treating two to three Covid patients daily.

On the other hand, Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha (Binoy Tamang camp) general secretary Anit Thapa said, "I am extremely sad after I heard of the two residents from Darjeeling falling to the pandemic. We had fought this virus together in the Hills last year, and I am ready this time too. I assure the people of the hills that I will be in the forefront in the coming days to fight this pandemic just like last year where we all got together and fought the pandemic."

In a release, Mr Thapa also appealed to all to leave their differences behind and fight this virus collectively.

"There is no question of waiting for the elections to get over in the state, and we need to start our fight right from today," he said.