Stress on wider, early Covid tests in rural areas- Amid dip in cases, Darjeeling DM says they are monitoring situation

Covid Care Centre opens in Siliguri

SNS, SILIGURI, 31 MAY 21 : The administration and the health department have stressed on widespread and early Covid tests to ascertain the number of unchecked and undetected cases in rural areas under the Siliguri Sub Division.

Though there is a slight deep in the daily number of Covid-19 cases in rural areas, Darjeeling District Magistrate S Ponnambalam today said block-level teams had been asked to encourage people to undergo tests if they found symptoms of Covid-19.

More than 1500 cases have been detected in the Matigara block in the past over 15 days, and around 1000 cases in the Naxalbari block. The Matigara block consistently found around 100 cases per day on an average. The block, however, recorded 27 cases, and Naxalbari 21 cases yesterday, and counted 15 cases each today, while two other blocks, Kharibari and Phansidewa, reported 10 and five cases, respectively.

"We are conducting more tests in rural areas. We have focused on early testing for detection of cases. The early tests will also ensure early treatment and it will help people recover. Testing and detection at the last stages sometimes leave the patients in serious condition. We are encouraging early testing. More focus has been laid in areas like Upper Bagdogra (Matigara block) and Naxalbari," Mr Ponnambalam said.

He said efforts had been made to augment more Covid beds at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri District Hospital, Darjeeling District Hospital and the Kurseong Sub Divisional Hospital.

Health experts said the large scale tests will throw up the extent oft he caseload. The purpose of testing is to isolate positive cases early and block the chain of transmission, they said.

"Early testing, tracing and tracking of contacts, and treatment are the key steps to combat Covid-19 cases. Also, people should get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity," a health specialist said.

Mr Ponnambalam said they were monitoring the situation as there was a fall in Covid-19 cases.

Steps against private nursing homes

The district health department has show-caused around seven private nursing homes in the past one month.

"There were complaints of overcharging, overbilling, and negligence in treatment against some private health facilities. We have examined the cases and show-caused around seven nursing homes. We have also ensured that some nursing homes accept the Swasthya Sathi card. Many have explained and assured about compliance to the protocol," said district chief medical officer of health Dr Pralay Acharya.

Two mucormycosis cases found

Two middle-aged Covid-19 patients diagnosed with mucormycosis or black fungus have been admitted in the Covid-19 ward of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. One of the patients is a male and another a woman, health department officials said.

ICU ward at Darjeeling District Hospital

A 10 -bed ICU in the Covid ward started operations at the Darjeeling District Hospital today. According to the DM, Mr Ponnambalam, five ventilators, five BiPAP machines, and three oxygen concentrators had been placed in the ward.

Covid-19 cases fall

Darjeeling district registered a declining trend of Covid cases for two consecutive days today. The district logged 217 new cases, while the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, including areas under Jalpaiguri district, also witnessed a dip with 120 cases, sources said.

However, the number of cases has gone up in Sukhia Pokhari at 32 cases. Bijanbari reported 23 cases Sukna 10, Kurseong Municipality three, Darjeeling Municipality and Takdah found two each and and Mirik reported one case. Meanwhile, health department officials said 272 people had recovered in the last 24 hours.

Seven persons die

Seven persons, who had tested positive for Covid-19, died at the NBMCH in the past 24 hours, sources said.

A 25-bed field hospital was opened for mild and moderate Covid-19 patients in Siliguri today.

The hospital will cater to patients with mild symptoms and also provide oxygen support free of cost. It has oxygen cylinders as well as concentrators. A team of experienced doctors will monitor the patients. The Siliguri Welfare Organisation has taken the initiative to serve Covid-19 patients there, especially those belonging to the economically weaker section of society, in association with the Liver Foundation, Kolkata, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), north Bengal chapter, and Forum for Humanity Patients having oxygen saturation level below 86 percent will be advised to get admitted at the NBMCH or the Siliguri District Hospital, as the Covid Care Centre at Tinbatti More will not have the ICU facility.

The chairperson of the board of administrators of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, Gautam Deb, who inaugurated the facility today, welcomed the initiative.

Mr Deb said that it was a "wonderful initiative taken by all the four organisations and a good effort to help Covid patients of the region, where "free and compassionate care day and night" will be provided. He also assured all help that may be needed from the state government.

Abhijeet Mazumdar, the Working President of the Siliguri Welfare Organisation, also said the free centre will help people a great deal during difficult times like these.

Nishant Mittal, the Chairman, ICC, north Bengal, said ICC members are committed to helping the society. "We have supported this initiative in all possible ways," he said.

"This is the first of its kind initiative in north Bengal. Starting with 25 beds, we will increase them whenever required," he added.

Shubam Bhattacharya, Secretary of the Forum for Humanity, said Forum members were working 24x7 at the Covid Care Centre. The concept was designed by Dr Abhijeet Choudhary of the Liver Foundation.

Mr Ponnambalam, several doctors, and representatives of the Covid Care Network and voluntary organisations were present during the inauguration ceremony. The toll free phone numbers for the facility are 977 2227487 and 03532561969.