Covid-19: Bengal breaks spell of rise in active cases, 2,113 recoveries, 1,879 infections and 42 deaths

 

The state, on Monday, reported 2,113 recoveries, 1,879 infections and 42 deaths

A crowded market area during COVID-induced lockdown in Calcutta on Saturday.:  PTI Photo

Meghdeep Bhattacharyya   |   TT  |  Calcutta   |   22.06.21: Bengal on Monday snapped out of an 11-day spell of renewed rise in total active Covid-19 cases and logged less than 2,000 infections for the first time since April 5, 77 days ago.

On Monday, the state reported 2,113 recoveries, 1,879 infections and 42 deaths.

The total of active cases fell by 276, to 22,740.

“We are back on track,” said a minister, pointing out that the daily confirmation rate, which had peaked in the second wave with nearly 33 per cent, fell to below four on Monday, to 3.93.

Prior to Monday, the total of active cases had improved till June 9 by around 89 per cent to 14,702, from the all-time high of 1,32,181 on May 21. But over 11 days till Sunday, it had risen again by over 56 per cent.

“All our estimates suggested this reversal, around this time. It will be a smooth ride back to a great position, over the next few weeks,” said the minister.

Bengal currently has 3.44 per cent of the national total of active cases and remains eighth on the list of states with most active cases.

In another major plus, the state’s recovery rate resumed its upward climb — after a 10-day reversal — and rose to 97.3 per cent. The national recovery rate is 96.46 now.

Bengal’s overall mortality rate, with 17,390 deaths in total, is 1.17 per cent, while the national rate is 1.29.

Of the 42 deaths reported on Monday, nine were reported from the city and 10 from North 24-Parganas, the two worst-affected districts. While Calcutta logged 171 new infections, North 24-Parganas reported 295.

“Over the past few weeks, we have also been able to lower the daily death count from 150-odd to less than 50,” said the minister.