South Dinajpur reported a record number of single-day cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours. As the district detected 85 new cases, one death in the Balurghat safe house treatment centre sent panic waves in Balurghat. The exact reason for the death was, however, not clear.

“The number of beds in safe houses is not sufficient and there will be a crisis of them as the recovery rate in the district is slow and the number of patients is increasing by the day,” sources said. The total number of Covid cases in South Dinajpur has now gone up to 552, while 309 of them have already discharged after treatment, while there are presently 243 active cases, the sources said.

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The district administration held a meeting at the Balurghat Circuit House after the highest single- day spike today. The meeting was chaired by the District Magistrate and in attendance were ADM Dev and LR, Balurghat SDO, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the two Deputy CMOH, all Block Medical Officers of Health and hospital superintendents.

“As per the health department protocol, suspects awaiting test results and pre-symptomatic/ mild positive cases will stay in home isolation or home quarantine. A doctor or health personnel will visit his/her house once daily. Besides, a call will be made from the District Covid control room daily to inquire about any health or other problems there,” administrative sources said. There are five Safe Homes in the district as of today, while the Balurghat Youth Hostel is also being turned into one.

“A few electrical and civil work remains, and as has been communicated to the Executive Engineers of both the PWD, Civil and Electrical units, all pending work will be completed within five days. Once ready, the facility will have 80 beds,” the sources added. Patients with serious comorbidities will be treated at the Prayas Atrayee Eye Hospital, which is the district’s only dedicated Covid hospital. There are 41 containment zones in South Dinajpur as of today.

“Given the spike with 85 new positive cases, contact tracing is currently underway. If any new containment zone is added to the list, it will be done by tomorrow. As per the state government order, the lockdown will continue till 19 July,” officials said. District Magistrate Nikhil Nirmal has, on the other hand, assured people that the situation was still under control and that the district administration was well-equipped to handle the situation.

District officials among fresh cases in Malda Malda district followed suit with a whopping 81 new cases, and they included an ADM, his wife, a District planning officer (DPLO), the Manikchak Block Development Officer and two bank officials. The Manikchak Block office has been sealed after the BDO tested positive for the virus.

A branch of a nationalized bank was also sealed after the officials tested positive there. “A partial lockdown has been enforced in these areas until 28 July,” sources said. The other cases were found in places like Old Malda, Kaliachak- I, Habibpur, and Gazole.

On the other hand, English Bazaar and Old Malda Municipality areas experienced a total lockdown today, with all markets closed and no gathering of people. Malda SP Alok Rajoria said strict action will be taken against people violating the lockdown orders.