Covid-19: Post-Durga Puja Surge In Cases Leaves West Bengal Authorities Alarmed

West Bengal continues to experience a sudden surge of Covid-19 cases once again across the state since Durga Puja ended. The sudden spike in Covid-19 infections in the southern fringes of Kolkata particularly has prompted the administration to create multiple micro-containment zones in the area. 

As per the health department, West Bengal reported 989 new Covid-19 cases on last Sunday, which was slightly higher than the number of cases reported on the day before, while the number of cases on October 20, 21, and 22 was 846, 833, and 867 respectively.

The Covid-19 cases are following an upward spike for multiple consecutive days after the Durga Puja season. The authorities are likely to increase Covid-19 restrictions across the state once again ain a bid to stop the current surge in infections.

There are currently 129 containment zones in West Bengal, with the maximum of 43 in North 24 Parganas district.

The Centre has asked the West Bengal government to immediately undertake a review of Covid-19 cases and deaths, and stressed on the importance of ensuring Covid-safe festivities.

In a letter to the West Bengal health secretary dated October 22, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said the state has reported 20,936 new cases and 343 fresh deaths in the last 30 days, accounting for 3.4% of the country's new cases and 4.7 % of fresh deaths.

 Kolkata reported an almost 27% increase in positivity rate in the past week, from 5.6% in the week ending October 14 to 7.1% in the week ending October 21, Bhushan said.

 West Bengal recorded over 800 new Covid-19 cases for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, after registering nearly 1000 infections for a couple of days, according to the health department data.

The state reported 806 new cases on Tuesday, one more than the previous day's figure, pushing the tally to 15,88,066, while 15 fresh fatalities took the death toll to 19,081.

(With PTI Inputs)