COVID-19 in Bengal: some parts of Kolkata & Howrah particularly vulnerable, says Mamata Banerjee; some areas sealed, put on alert

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said that 90 per cent of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the state were from Kolkata and Howrah. Both these districts had been put on alert, she said. However, she clarified that the alert had been sounded in certain parts of Kolkata and not the entire city and some parts had been identified as vulnerable. She said this included some parts of north and central Kolkata. Some parts of North 24 Parganas have also been affected, she said.

Banerjee warned people not to venture out without enough reason, else it could lead to community transmission. She said that certain areas may have to be sealed, and if required police would reach essential commodities to people. She said that some parts of Howrah were particularly vulnerable. Some parts of Kolkata and Howrah have already been sealed and police authorities are keeping a constant eye on these areas.

The number of active COVID-19 cases in the state is 162 with 22 new cases detected in the last 24 hours. Four were discharged during this time.

At a meeting in the state administrative headquarters Nabanna, Banerjee spoke over videoconference with district magistrates and police superintendents on the COVID-19 situation, asking them to take adequate steps to contain its spread.

Four districts in West Bengal – including Kolkata – were declared as hotspots for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Wednesday by the Union Health Ministry. These are Kolkata, Howrah, East Midnapore and North 24 Parganas.

Banerjee said that East Midnapore had already managed to improve its situation, and urged officers to ensure that Kolkata and Howrah both move from its current position in the red zone to orange zone within two weeks. Red zones are those which have maximum number of COVID-19 cases, followed by orange zones and green zones.