North Bengal on alert over Omicron fears

SNS, SILIGURI, 24 DECEMBER 2021 : With a view to preventing the spread of the latest variant of coronavirus-Omicron, the health department has focused on enhanced surveillance to trace, track and encourage people to undergo Covid tests. West Bengal has recorded three Omicron cases so far.

"We have stepped up our surveillance in areas where people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the district. As part of it, the health department is carrying out fever surveys in houses. If found symptomatic, they are counseling people to conduct Covid tests without hesitation," said the Darjeeling district chief medical officer of health Dr Tulsi Pramanik.

According to doctors tracking the Covid-19 graph, the positivity rate was higher in areas under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation that also covers 14 wards of Jalpaiguri district.

The Centre has asked states to enhance surveillance and ramp up testing, investigate all clusters of cases, prepare the health infrastructure, including critical care beds, ventilators and oxygen supplies, and lay emphasis on increasing community awareness about Omicron.

Experts have already underlined the need to monitor the possibility of community transmission of the variant. They have stressed on the importance of augmented community level testing with gen one sequencing surveillance for early prevention of local surges.

Health department officials have also expressed concern that a large section of people are not following the Covid appropriate behaviour. They are worried as such irresponsible behaviour might lead to a fresh spike during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

"Covid-appropriate behavior, such as wearing masks and maintaining hygiene, are required," Dr Pramanik said.

The principal of the North Bengal Medical College and hospital, Prof Indrajit Saha, flagged concerns about Covid positive persons delaying treatment.

"Those people are turning up at the NBMCH after a few days of being tested positive for Covid, but during that time they have already developed acute respiratory distress. Doctors are not getting adequate time for treatment," Prof Saha said.

NBMCH sources said 11 Covid patients were undergoing treatment in the hospital today, while the figure was 12 yesterday.