Covid cases on the rise in West Champaran

BETTIAH: Covid-19 pandemic has spread its tentacles in the West Champaran district as 499 persons tested positive for the virus. Those who have tested positive in the past few days include an MLA, bankers, frontline health workers and cops.
District magistrate Kundan Kumar, however, said that there was no need to be alarmed. “We have gradually moved from partial to total lockdown after carrying out an awareness drive on social distancing norms and wearing of masks.Complete lockdown has become necessary to break the virus chain,” the DM told this newspaper on Tuesday.
The West Champaran district administration announced a lockdown late on Sunday evening after 78 fresh cases were detected and the Covid figure rose to 499 in the district. On Tuesday, the figure rose to 499, out of which 328 have been discharged. With a population of about 30 lakh, testing in West Champaran is abysmally low. So far, 8,560 samples have been tested while reports of another 1,176 samples are awaited.
What has raised concern is the spread of covid cases both among the populace and public servants. An MLA is among a string of public figures including frontline health workers, police personnel and bankers who have tested covid positive.
An engineer from a PSU engaged to check EVMs in West Champaran too was reportedly tested positive. “ He was immediately isolated after screening,” the DM said. Incidentally, election preparations are in full swing and shall remain among exempted essential services during this complete lockdown.
Reports indicate that Covid positive cases are spreading in different localities of Bettiah. Reports from Lauriya said that 15 people from among a 200 strong crowd of mourners that had recently attended the funeral of a Covid infected deceased have tested positive so far.