KOLKATA: The Covid positivity graph in Bengal climbed above 1% on Monday after a gap of more than three months. With cases rising in a few states, the Bengal government has asked all hospitals to be vigilant at a meeting of senior health officials at Swasthya Bhawan on Monday. Private hospitals, too, are bringing back Covid preventive measures.
On Monday, 53 of the 4,816 samples processed in the past 24 hours returned positive, taking the positivity rate to 1.1%. The last time the positivity rate had gone above 1% was on February 17. Health officials said even though there was no reason to press the panic button, the Monday meeting took stock of the situation so that it doesn't spiral out of control.
"Covid is under control. But positivity reaching 1% is a matter of concern. We need to put all measures in place to contain it," said a senior health official.
Sources said hospitals were asked to be more vigilant to prevent delay in detecting Covid cases, take up containment measures and be in a position to enhance Covid infrastructure if the need arises.
All hospitals and districts were also asked to escalate the vaccination drive. The task force on Covid was also reconstituted as several members opted out due to age-related issues.
Hosps resume strict Cov-safety protocols
With Covid cases rising again in several states, private hospitals in the city have issued directives to ensure proper masking by all on the hospital premises.
"We have issued a whip that everyone in the hospital has to follow the mask mandate that can go a long way in containing the spread of the infection," said Alok Roy, chairman Medica Superspecialty Hospital.
An internal circular has been issued in all three units of AMRI to re-enforce strict Covid-19 protocol once again. Hospital security has been asked to ensure that each patient and visitor has a mask on when they come inside the hospital.
"Of late, we have been noticing laxity even on part of a section of our staff. All have been told that we cannot afford complacency at a time when there is rise in cases in certain states. We have also resumed our outdoor vaccination camp at Acropolis Mall," said Rupak Barua group CEO AMRI Hospitals.
A few hospitals said that they have started getting one or two Covid patients after a long lull.
"We are providing masks to many patients who have started coming without the masks. Staff in the patient interface areas are always counselled to wear masks for safety. Constant announcements and checks are being made to reinstate Covid-appropriate behaviour that people were sticking by even a few months ago," said R Venkatesh regional director (east), Narayana Health.
Medical superintendent at Peerless Hospital Sudipta Bhattacharya said people had become very casual about-Covid appropriate behaviour due to the very low case load.
"But if the Covid graph starts rising, we will have to go back to adhering to the mask rule. People should know that mask can prevent other droplet-related infections as well," said Bhattacharya.
"Though we haven't had any Covid patient for 32 days the situation might change any day especially when cases are rising in some states. We are trying to bring back all Covid preventive measures," said Pradip Tondon CEO Belle Vue Clinic.
