Covid among health workers at NBMCH a cause of concern

SNS, SILIGURI, 6 JANUARY 22 : The rising cases of Covid infection among healthcare workers at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) continue to be a matter of concern.

The unprecedented surge in infections among doctors, medical students, and nursing staff at the region's principal health institute might have an impact on the health services if it continues to go up, NBMCH authorities said.

Meanwhile, the officer on special duty for public health in north Bengal, Dr Susanta Kumar Roy, has also tested positive for the virus, it is learnt. 

Sources said there was a gathering for a freshers' welcome at the NBMCH on 30 December, where Dr Roy's birthday was also celebrated.

"A total of 49 students, an employee, three faculties who are associated with the college have tested positive. It is tough to assume the situation in the days to come. We are asking all level of frontline healthcare workers, including interns, house staff, medical officers, and faculties to remain safe. If the number of healthcare workers getting infected gets more, the services might be affected," said NBMCH superintendent Dr Sanjay Mallik.

Dr Mallik said it was difficult to pin-point how the infections spread on the campus. "I do not know about the birthday celebrations, but I am aware of the programme for the freshers' welcome," he added.

Dr Mallik said there was laxity on the part of a section of the medical fraternity when it came to using the face masks properly. He said that masks should be used in a proper manner. According to him, the infectivity of Omicron variant was four times higher than the Delta strain and other previous variants.

Meanwhile, the second floor of the girls' hostel at the NBMCH has been declared as a micro-containment zone, officials said today.

Mask enforcement drive

The Siliguri Metropolitan Police arrested 242 persons from different places in the town for not wearing masks and flouting Covid protocols yesterday.