7 more Covid infections in Kol, state active case tally 10
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Kolkata: Kolkata has recorded at least seven Covid-19 cases in the past week.
Six patients, admitted at a hospital off Bypass, are receiving treatment for Covid as well as other existing health conditions.
On Sunday, TOI reported about four active cases, including a 15-year-old boy admitted to Peerless Hospital, a pregnant woman at Sushrata Nursing Home in Kankurgachhi, and two from a family in Mograhat, who did not require hospital care.
According Apollo Multispecialty Hospital sources, the six came for treatment for various health conditions in the past week. Covid tests were conducted as all of them exhibited mild to severe symptoms.
All six are being treated in isolation wards.
A 70-year-old man with existing heart issues came with fever and respiratory problems. An upper respiratory panel test detected SARS-CoV-2, followed by an RT-PCR confirmation four days ago. While he needed BiPAP support, the oxygen requirement is now only one litre an hour. "His condition is improving. Since he had other comorbidities, Covid cannot be the main reason for his condition," said Apollo ECMO physician Arpan Chakraborty.
Till May 19, Bengal had only one active case. Now, there are at least 10 active cases, mostly from Kolkata. "It is not unusual to encounter a spike. While there is no reason to panic unless we get many patients with severe infection, it is always good to revert to preventive measures like wearing masks and using hand sanitiser," said infectious diseases specialist Sayan Chakraborty of Manipal Dhakuria. Pradip Tondon, CEO of Belle Vue Clinic, said a woman who had a gastrointestinal problem and came with a Covid positive report was discharged on Saturday.
"So far, we know that Omicron sub-lineage JN.1 is behind the current spike happening elsewhere. We have already encountered this strain. But to protect the vulnerable, symptomatic individuals as well as those with comorbidities should start taking preventive measures," said pulmonologist Kausik Chaudhuri, former Covid-19 nodal officer at ID Hospital Beliaghata.
"So far, we do not have new Covid guidelines from the health department. While the situation is not at all alarming, such guidelines could raise awareness among the public," said critical care specialist Soutik Panda of Woodlands Hospital.
Mayor Firhad Hakim said, "The situation in Bengal has not yet necessitated issuance of Covid SOP. We are closely monitoring the situation. There is no reason to panic."
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