Community Spread Of Covid 19 In West Bengal And Instances Of Virus Being Airborne Witnessed: CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee says instances of airborne and community spread of Covid-19 in the state. West Bengal witnessed a sharp spike in positive cases in October and the state has issued a strict advisory for Durga Puja celebrations.

(File Photo/ PTI)

West Bengal: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that community transmission of Covid-19 has started in the state and there are many instances of the disease being airborne. Speaking to media after a cabinet meeting, Mamata Banerjee said that instances of coronavirus becoming airborne and community spread have been reported in West Bengal. She also asked people of the state to maintain caution ahead of the upcoming Puja season. "I ask everybody to follow the Covid-19 safety protocols during the festive season. There are instances of community transmission of Covid-19 and also the contagion becoming airborne," Mamata Banerjee said. State Chief secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay said measures are being taken to bring down the cost of Covid tests and treatment. However, the Union Health Ministry in India has not issued any warning or advisory as yet with regards to the spreading of coronavirus via air. The Bengal Chief Minister asked the people to avoid stepping out during the festive season as much as possible." I cannot ask people not to go out but I request you all to not to go out shopping...many go out during this time for Puja celebrations," she said. Mamata Banerjee also advised people to wear thick masks when they visit Durga Puja pandals in the state. Last month, the West Bengal government had issued a notification asking Durga Puja committees to follow Covid-19 safety protocols and set up open pandals where visitors cannot enter without masks. "Pandals shall have to be spacious and should be kept open from all sides. If in case it becomes essential to have closed ceiling, the sides will have to be kept open and if the sides have to be blocked, the ceiling has to be kept open," the notification signed by Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said.

Covid situation in West Bengal

In the highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases, West Bengal had on Sunday reported 3,612 fresh infections. With new cases, the total number of infected persons in the state reached 2,94,806, as per the state health department. A total of 59 more patients succumbed to the deadly virus, pushing the total fatalities in the state to 5,622, it said. The Covid-19 recovery rate in West Bengal stood at 87.84 per cent with 3,110 people getting discharged since Saturday and 2,58,948 overall. As per the PTI, North 24 Parganas accounted for 18 deaths, followed by the metropolis with 16 fatalities, while the fresh cases include 774 infections from North 24 Parganas and Kolkata (757). There have been 30,236 active Covid-19 cases in the state. Since Saturday, 42,611 samples have been tested in the state, taking the total number of such clinical examinations to 36,93,600, the health department said.