Former SMC mayor rues vaccine shortage: 453 fresh cases in Darjeeling district:Eight Covid patients die

SNS, SILIGURI, 27 MAY 21 : Former Siliguri mayor and veteran CPI-M leader Asok Bhattacharya has expressed concerns over non-availability of Covid vaccines. Mr Bhattacharya said many people eligible for the second dose were facing inconveniences.

According to him, many health workers and volunteers of non-government organisations, who were serving Covid-19 infected persons on the front lines were yet to receive the jabs. The former state urban development minister, Mr Bhattacharya also talked about Red Volunteers. members of the party's youth and student wings, who are actively helping with food, oxygen cylinders, medicines at the doorsteps and arranging for hospital beds for Covid patients and conducting sanitization drives.

"Hundreds of Red Volunteers across the Siliguri Sub-Division are standing beside Covid-19 positive persons selflessly by risking their lives. They are delivering oxygen cylinders, food and medicines and sending patients to hospitals in ambulances, but they are yet to he brought under the vaccination drive,"

Mr Bhattacharya said in a letter he shot to Darjeeling District Magistrate S Ponnambalam. In the letter, he has requested the DM to ensure the vaccination of such volunteers.

Mr Bhattacharya pointed out that the minimum health infrastructure is still inadequate as per the daily cases of Covid-19 being recorded in Siliguri.

He underlined that many private hospitals were not following government guidelines of accepting the Swasthya Sathi card. He demanded intervention of the administration to stop harassment of family members over inflated hospital bills. Mr Bhattacharya said people were facing problems getting government ambulances for admission of patients in hospitals, and bringing recovered patients home and also managing hearses.

SMC helpline numbers

To help people with Covid19- related services, the SMC has introduced a 24x7 helpline number for patients in home isolation-8620970533/ 8016277748. Officials said people will be guided and will also get assistance in hospitalisation of the patients. The civic body will also distribute free food stuff among the needy Covid-19 patients under home isolation. The helpline number for the same is 9434151860.

Three hearses will ensure 24x7 services to carry the bodies of Covid-19 victims tree of cost. The helpline numbers for the hearses are 8620976533/ 9932935632 and 9474687088.

Two ambulances will also carry Covid-19 patients to hospitals and back home free of cost. The 24x7 helpline numbers for the same are 8620970533/ 8016277748. Further, three ambulances will he used for suspected Covid-19 patients, it is learnt.

Around eight Covid patients die

Around eight patients, who had tested positive for Covid-19, died in Siliguri in the past 24 hours, sources said. Seven persons died in the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, while another person died at the Siliguri District Hospital.

453 fresh cases in Darjeeling district

Darjeeling district recorded 453 new cases of Covid-19 today, sources said. A total of 140 cases were found in the SMC, 17 in Darjeeling Municipality, 21 in Sukna, 12 in Kurseong Municipality, 24 in Mirik, one in Mirik Municipality, 20 in Bijanbari, 15 in Sukhia Pokhari, nine in Takdah, 22 in Kharibari, 73 in Matigara, 74 in Naxalbari, and 25 in Phansidewa.

A total of 62 cases were separately found in SMC areas that fall under Jalpaiguri district.

Also today, 412 Covid patients recovered in different government facilities and home isolation, the sources said.

NBMCH staff seek vaccine for kin

Employees working in non-medical sections of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital have requested NBMCH superintendent Dr Sanjay Mallik to ensure immediate vaccination for their family members. Some medical technologists have also requested for the same, it is learnt.