Siliguri Covid cases a concern; markets to close once a week

SNS, SILIGURI,17 JULY 21 : As Covid- 19 cases still remain a matter of concern, markets under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) will now remain closed once a week The civic body has decided to identify areas with clusters of cases and set up containment zones to control the spread. The stricter measures will be implemented so that people follow the Covid-appropriate behaviour, it is learnt.

Public health experts have expressed concern as the number of cases in Darjeeling district is still far from going down and has remained static for the past few days. According to them, ahead of the possible third wave, the situation was not encouraging People in large numbers are thronging the markets, defying all Covid protocols, and this could contribute to the surge, they fear.

The chairperson of the board of administrators of the SMC, Gautam Deb. today addressed a meeting with district magistrate S Ponnambalam, district chief medical officer of health Dr Pralay Acharya, North Bengal Medical College and hospital (NBMCH) Prof Indrajit Saha, superintendent Dr Sanajy Mallik, deputy commissioner of Siliguri Metropolitan Police (Headquarters) Amitabha Maity and other officials to review the situation.

"In some areas in Siliguri, the trend of Covid-19 cases is on the upward trajectory. In view of the situation, we have taken up some decisions to check the spread. Market swill be closed once a week and santisation will be conducted there when they are closed. Markets at Bharat Nagar and Fuleswari under Ward 24 will be closed for seven days from 19 July. It is one of the wards where the number of cases is quite high," Mr Deb said.

It is learnt that there are around 24 markets under the civic body. Mr Deb said micro containment zones will be set up in some areas to contain the spread of infection. More surveillance will be put in place to monitor patients under home isolation.

"At the same time, many people are seen without masks, and not adhering to the physical distancing norms. Some stringent steps will be taken to have people follow those Covid-19 guidelines in Siliguri," he said.

Meanwhile, he said vaccination sites will be extended, given the demand of vaccines at the SMC-run health facility, Matri Sadan.

He added that the proposed Pressure Swing Adsorption medical oxygen generator plant will be functional from this month at the NBMCH. The civil work of the 2000-liter-perminute capacity plant has been completed. A liquid medical oxygen storage tank will also be installed there. The civil work for a similar plant is underway at the Siliguri District Hospital, Mr Deb said.