Bengal reports 58 active Covid-19 cases in last 24 hours; 10-month-old child in ICU
On Saturday, West Bengal recorded 58 more Covid-19 cases, taking the total number of active cases in the state to 622.
With this, the state became the fourth-highest Covid-positive state in the country, only after Kerala, Gujarat, and Delhi.
According to the health department, a two-year-old child and a 10-month-old toddler have been admitted to a private hospital, off EM Bypass.
Sources said the baby with breathing issues is in the ICU in the pediatric ward of the hospital with breathing issues.
Covid-testing counters have also been opened at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.
Sources in the health department stated that a report has been sent to the Central health department informing the steps taken by the state, the current figures of hospital admissions and the condition of patients.
The number of active cases in Kolkata city has seen a sharp rise by the end of May, as per records.
At the beginning of May, the city had only one positive case.
There has also been one death in the state due to Covid.
Meanwhile, a war of wards has broken out after Leader of Opposition Suvendhu Adhikari on Friday accused the state government of hiding the actual Covid patients in the state.
'The way dengue data is being withheld, the Covid situation is also being obscured. This is a clear attempt to hide the truth from the people. This is not merely an administrative lapse; it reflects a serious disregard for the health and safety of ordinary citizens,' he said.
However, Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya refuted Adhikari's allegation.
Bhattacharya said that the health sector is a state government issue.
'We are not interested in what someone is saying The Centre is aware of what we are doing. A meeting was held a few days ago by the Central Government which I had attended. Several issues were discussed. The Opposition leader may not know this. The Centre heaped praise after listening to what steps the Mamata Banerjee government has taken to check various diseases.'
Though the state health department is yet to issue a health advisory, the Kolkata Corporation has decided to raise awareness on precautionary measures.
According to sources, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will be putting up banners in all its health units across the city urging people to wash their hands, wear masks, and maintain social distancing.
The health workers in all wards have been directed to collect information regarding Covid symptoms, besides usual exercise of data collection of malaria or dengue.
They have been advised to isolate any person if found with influenza-like symptoms or severe acute respiratory symptoms (SARI).
With the rising cases, the health department said two isolation wards have been kept ready at ID Hospital in case the number spikes.
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