KOLKATA: The number of fresh Covid cases in Bengal crossed 50 on Thursday after a gap of 18 days but dropped to 42 on Friday, continuing to exhibit the fluctuating trend over the past one month. The state recorded 57 cases on Thursday, a sharp rise from just 27 on May 30. Bengal had an identical 57 cases on May 14, which was also the last time the state clocked over 50 new daily cases. Doctors issued a caution in the wake of a sharp spurt in Covid cases in Mumbai.
Even though Covid infections had been rare and mild in the state over the past three months, a sudden spike could not be ruled out, experts said. Private hospitals said they would wait and watch as Covid cases had not been severe in recent months and admissions had been very few. But most said they were ready to set up Covid wards or increase beds in case the number of admissions rose.
“We are keeping an eye on the situation, both in Bengal and other states. Since February, we have not come across any severe Covid case and the number of positive cases has been very few at our lab. But if the spurt continues, there could be a rise in admissions. In such a situation, we are ready to set up a Covid ward in a day,” said Peerless Hospital CEO Sudipta Mitra. The hospital now has more than 350 non-Covid patients, the highest since the pandemic.
Medica Superspecialty Hospital plans to continue with two isolation beds reserved for Covid patients. The hospital has not had any Covid admission since March but has seen a marginal rise in the number of patients testing positive at their lab. “We are not increasing Covid beds now since we have not received any patient seeking admission. Cases have been mild though the number of positive cases seems to be going up. If necessary, we can reconvert beds in a matter of hours,” said Medica chairperson Alok Roy.
The actual number of mild Covid cases could be substantially more than the official figure but it was not alarming as hospitalizations were almost nil, said IPGMER professor Diptendra Sarkar. “Few are getting tested despite having symptoms now. So, the actual number of positives could be higher. Since cases are rising in some other cities, we need to be cautious and step up testing even if there is a rise in the number of mild cases. Those with breathing distress should immediately seek medical help,” said Sarkar. On Friday, the state tested 10,287 samples with a positivity rate of 0.4%.
Woodlands Hospital has kept six Covid beds, none of which is now occupied. “We are keeping a watch on the Covid numbers but there’s no immediate plan to increase beds. Our current non-Covid occupancy is at 85%,” said CEO Rupali Basu.
RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences (RTIICS) has 450 non-Covid patients and OPD footfall has reached the pre-Covid level, according to zonal head R Venkatesh. “We neither have any Covid-positive patient in hospital nor has the laboratory reported any till date. We are prepared to immediately convert non-Covid beds to Covid if need be,” he added.
