Now, top Darj officials catch Covid: 2 deaths, 231 cases in Darj dist

SNS, SILIGURI, 11 JANUARY 2022 : Some administrative officials, including one additional district magistrate and three deputy magistrates, have contracted Covid-19 in Darjeeling district in the past couple of days, sources said today.

The district has already witnessed a massive spurt in Covid cases at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) where at least 100 health workers, including doctors, nursing staff and students, have tested positive. Many police personnel are also said to have tested positive. Some healthcare workers at the Siliguri District Hospital have also tested positive. However, despite the steep rise in Covid-19 cases, the rate of hospitalisation is minimal, officials have said.

It is learnt that an official of the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad has also tested positive for the virus.

'They are now in home isolation. Most of the departments are working with 50 percent workforce. The prevailing situation has, however, failed to affect the day-to-day work of the administration so far," said a senior administrative officer in Darjeeling district.

According to Darjeeling district magistrate S Ponnambalam, they were conducting all their meetings and discussions through video conference. "Officials are conducting field visits only when it is required. The normal work is being conducted without any problem," Mr Ponnambalam said.

Covid deaths

Two persons, a 72-year old resident of Bhaktinagar in Siliguri and an 86-year-old resident of Matigara, undergoing treatment for Covid-19 at the NBMCH died in the past 24 hours, sources said.

231 cases in Darj dist

Meanwhile, Darjeeling district recorded 231 new Covid cases today. The Siliguri Municipal Corporation, including areas covering Jalpaiguri district, registered 98 cases, while the areas falling in Darjeeling district detected 76 positive cases, sources said. Matigara reported 88 Covid cases.

On the other hand, 62 persons have recovered today, sources said.

Mask-up drive

More than 1500 people have been prosecuted for violation of the mask mandate and flouting Covid protocol in the last seven days in Siliguri, police said. Despite the drive, many people were still spotted without masks.

Siliguri police commissioner Gaurav Sharma hit the streets today and spread across a message of awareness, while also distributing masks among those not carrying one. Asked the Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus.

"We have adopted a two-pronged approach during the drive--awareness campaign and enforcement. We have observed many people do not carry masks from homes, but many people are also not following the protocol. We have prosecuted more than 1500 people in more than a week," Mr Sharma said.

Reminded that many political workers and leaders were seen violating the mask mandate ahead of the civic body elections, he said police were taking steps based on complaints. Public health experts have repeatedly been asking people to keep wearing masks and maintain physical distance--two important measures that can prevent people from catching Covid.