Latest news with #ChandrimaBhattacharya
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
IGBC plans tie-up with Bengal to promote green buildings
Kolkata: The Indian Green Building Council is open to collaborating with state govt to promote green buildings under Bangla Awas Yojana. The IGBC proposal was supported by state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya during Green Building Summit 2025, organised by CII and IGBC in the city on Friday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bhattacharya said a public-private partnership model for green buildings could be explored to enhance net-zero and climate-resilient infrastructure. "The govt is providing incentives like a 10% additional floor area ratio to green buildings in KMC and NKDA areas," she said. Bengal currently has about 900 IGBC-registered green building projects. M Anand, deputy executive director of IGBC, said: "We are planning to work with Bengal govt for development of green homes under Bangla Awas Yojana." Sushil Mohta, chairman of IGBC Kolkata, said: "Every rupee invested in green buildings saves Rs 3 to Rs 7 in operational costs. We request the govt for fast-track approvals of green projects."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Pollutants order changes post Covid pandemic: Cooking, industry emissions on PM2.5 rogue list
1 2 3 4 Kolkata: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) released a comprehensive report revealing how Kolkata's air pollution sources had significantly shifted in the years following Covid-19 pandemic. The analysis, drawing on two landmark studies — NEERI's pre-pandemic source apportionment study (2019) and TERI's recent post-pandemic study (2025) — shows a perceptible change in sectoral contribution to two key pollutants: PM10 and PM2.5. Significantly, only these two pollutants breach the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). Earlier, releasing the report, Bengal environment minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra, additional chief secretary of the environment department Roshni Sen, former VC of Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) Ajay Roy, and WBPCB member secretary J P Meena emphasised how plastic pollution plays havoc with our lives and biodiversity. WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra declared an award for students for collecting and responsible disposal of plastic wastes through its network of 5,000-plus schools in Bengal. According to the findings, coarse particulate matter (PM10) in the city saw a decrease in dust-related emissions, from a dominant 57.3% in 2019 to 43% in 2025, suggesting possible improvements in street cleaning and construction regulation. However, this was offset by rising contributions from household cooking (from 13.3% to 18%), industry (5.9% to 12%), and vehicular tailpipe emissions (8% to 13%). Notably, refuse burning and secondary sources, which were negligible in 2019, emerged as more prominent contributors in 2025. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which poses graver health risks due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs, now sees an increased contribution from industrial emissions (7% to 21%) and cooking (27.9% to 29%). Dust emissions halved (from 24.7% to 12%), while secondary aerosols — a complex mixture formed through chemical reactions involving vehicle, industrial, and power plant emissions — came into sharp focus, now accounting for 13% of PM2.5. This rise suggests a growing influence of chemical pollutants in the city's atmosphere. The report also notes that while policies such as the introduction of BSVI vehicles and the uptake of electric mobility helped reduce PM2.5 from tailpipes (23.5% to 20%), older vehicle fleets continue to be significant emitters of PM10.
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Bengal govt enhancing Covid preparedness amid uptick in cases
The West Bengal government is enhancing Covid-19 preparedness across the state, following a recent uptick in cases of the infection, officials said. This comes amid a resurgence in cases of JN.1 Omicron sub-variant, known for its higher transmission rate, in Southeast Asia. While Health Department officials confirmed 11 new Covid-19 cases in West Bengal over the past week, bringing the total to 15 recently reported cases, authorities stressed there is no need to panic. Chandrima Bhattacharya, Minister of State for Health, said, 'While a few positive cases have been reported in the city, all patients have only mild symptoms. The government is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary measures.' Seven of the newly infected patients are currently receiving treatment at two private hospitals in Kolkata. Most patients have mild symptoms such as fever, cold, and breathing difficulties and have been placed in isolation wards with oxygen support if required. Hospital sources confirmed that none of the patients are critical. While no written directives have been issued by the state government, hospitals have been told to ensure adequate stock of beds, oxygen supplies, antibiotics, and other vital drugs, it is learnt. All medical equipment, including ventilators, Bi-Pap machines, oxygen concentrators, and PSA plants, must be in fully functional condition, they have been informed. Health experts are also urging authorities to ramp up RT-PCR testing and reinstate clear public health guidelines in light of the JN.1 sub-variant's higher transmission rates.
United News of India
26-05-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Fresh Covid cases in Bengal, 11 affected
Kolkata, May 26 (UNI) With 11 people recently admitted to various hospitals in West Bengal with COVID-like symptoms, doctors have warned of a resurgence of the virus, although the state health department has maintained that all patients are stable and there is no cause for concern. According to the state health department, seven new COVID-19 cases were reported in Kolkata on Sunday, with six being detected at a private hospital in South Kolkata and one at another private hospital on the eastern fringes of the city. Sources in the hospital said that most patients arrived with symptoms of cough and cold, and routine COVID-19 tests revealed traces of the virus, leading to their transfer to the isolation ward. However, hospital authorities confirmed that all patients are in a stable condition, none required ICU admission, and they are currently under observation with doctors closely monitoring their health. Earlier on Saturday, four cases of Covid-19 were reported in the state, including a 31-year-old woman and a 12-year-old child from the same family residing in the Magrahat 2 block of South 24 Parganas district. However, both the mother and the child have since been discharged and allowed to return home. Additionally, a pregnant woman who tested positive for Covid-19 has been admitted to a nursing home in Kankurgachi, Kolkata. Furthermore, a 15-year-old boy from Rishra was admitted to a private hospital near EM Bypass on Saturday as the latest Covid case, showing symptoms such as high fever, cough, severe dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Initially treated by a local doctor without improvement, he was later hospitalised and is now receiving care in an isolated cabin, with no respiratory complications reported. However, the state health department has asked people not to panic. 'Though there are some cases of Covid in the state, the condition of the patients is not serious and many of them have been allowed to go home,' a state health department official said. However, Minister of state for health with independent charge, Chandrima Bhattacharya said, 'There is no reason to worry. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. We are prepared but everyone will have to be cautious.' COVID is once again spreading across the country, with infections rising due to a new variant. Fresh cases of corona-virus have been reported in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Sikkim, health officials said. UNI XC PRS
