In a first this year, NBMCH admits Covid patients from Matiali

SNS, Siliguri, 6 April 2023 : Some Covid-19 patients have been admitted to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) after a gap of a few months. Two patients with the virus, including a newborn, were admitted there this week, sources said.

Many states have witnessed a spike in Covid- 19 cases since March, and health department officials in Bengal have said the situation was not alarming and that the health facilities were well equipped to deal with any rise in the viral infection.

NBMCH sources said around a two-month-old baby from Cooch Behar suffering from Covid-19 and septicemia was undergoing treatment in the paediatric Covid ward. A 58-year-old resident of Matiali in Jalpaiguri district was admitted in the Covid block yesterday.

According to doctors, such patients were admitted in the hospital after a long gap.

"Covid-19 cases are low in Bengal. The child is the first Covid patient admitted in the NBMCH this year. The baby has been admitted early this week," a doctor said.

Sources said health officials were looking into the travel history of the person.

NBMCH superintendent Dr Sanjay Mallik confirmed two patients suffering from Covid19 were undergoing treatment. "Doctors are monitoring their condition," Dr Mallik said. According to him, samples of both the patients would be sent to the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics at Kabuli for genome sequencing as part of the protocol that is in place.

The Union health ministry had on 16 March cautioned about arise in Covid-19 infections in six states. Scientists suspect the observed rise in infections is likely driven by the variant called XBB.1.16 identified in India. 

Experts tracking mutations of the corona virus said the latest spell is marked by mild illness and low hospitalization, attributing the protection through immunity gained from a large-scale vaccination and natural infections acquired during the three Covid -19 waves in the country.

"The variant XBB.1.16 has higher transmissibility and causes similar patterns of disease as its earlier siblings, all lineages of the Omicron variant that had driven India's third Covid- 19 wave last year," an expert said.

The experts stressed on enhanced surveillance, testing and adoption of the Covid19-appropriate behaviour.

Dr Mallick warned that people need to be vigilant and should not let their guard down.

Thalassemia day care

Meanwhile, a 10- bed Thalassemia day care facility was introduced at the NBMCH today.