6 days ago
Fresh 7 COVID cases in Kolkata, number of active cases in Bengal now 30
Seven new COVID-19 cases have been reported from four hospitals in Kolkata, taking the active case count in the state to 30.
According to sources, two patients are currently being treated at a private hospital in Alipore. One of them, an 89-year-old man from Alipore, required oxygen support due to respiratory distress. Although his condition is now improving, he remains in isolation in the ICU.
Meanwhile, a 41-year-old woman from Thakurpukur is also admitted to the same hospital. Hospital sources said she had complained of a headache, fever, and respiratory issues. Although she does not require oxygen support, she has been kept in isolation as a precaution.
One COVID-positive patient has been admitted to a private hospital off EM Bypass. Additionally, two swabs tested positive at a private hospital in Salt Lake. Hospital sources confirmed that hospitalization was necessary for these two individuals. Two more patients with COVID-19 have also been admitted to the same Salt Lake hospital.
At the Kolkata Port Trust Hospital, two patients currently admitted have also tested positive for COVID-19.
Although the state health department has yet to issue any official directives, sources said that officials are watching out more vigilantly for possible symptoms. Two isolation wards have been kept ready at the Infectious Diseases (ID) Hospital in case the number of cases increases.
Health department officials, however, said that there is no cause for concern at the moment.
Meanwhile, with fresh COVID-19 cases being reported in Bengal, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has decided to install banners across all its health units in the city. These banners will promote awareness about basic precautions such as handwashing, wearing masks, and maintaining social distance.
Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh, who also holds the MMIC (Health) portfolio, held a meeting earlier this week with health officers from all boroughs. Speaking to the media, Ghosh said, 'Though there has hardly been any instance of the virus affecting the lower respiratory tract, elderly people with comorbidities need to be cautious. The virus can spread fast, but the chances of it being fatal, as of now, are low.'
Health workers across all wards have been directed to collect information regarding COVID-19 symptoms, in addition to their usual data collection related to malaria and dengue. They have been instructed to isolate any individual showing influenza-like symptoms or signs of severe acute respiratory infection.
