This story is from July 9, 2021

Darjeeling beats Kolkata in active and fresh Covid cases

The number of fresh positive cases in the state is on sharp decline. But the Queen of Hills currently occupies the second position in entire Bengal as far as active cases are concerned. Darjeeling has also taken over Kolkata in terms of daily fresh cases.
Darjeeling beats Kolkata in active and fresh Covid cases
Picture used for representational purpose only
KOLKATA: The number of fresh positive cases in the state is on sharp decline. But the Queen of Hills currently occupies the second position in entire Bengal as far as active cases are concerned. Darjeeling has also taken over Kolkata in terms of daily fresh cases. With Covid restrictions being lifted in phases in the state, health experts apprehend Covid-fatigued people flocking to the Hills once travel restrictions get completely eased out.
This, they said, could prove dangerous for Darjeeling.
On Thursday, Darjeeling had 1,542 active cases, only next to the Covid-19 epicentre North 24 Parganas that had 1,801 active cases, the highest among all districts. In Kolkata, it has gone down to 1,217.
“The reduction in Kolkata has been sharp which is around 95% compared to some districts, including Darjeeling, where reduction in positive cases has been slower, hovering between 50% to 75%. This shows that these places are still not out of danger,” said IPGMER surgery professor Diptendra Sarkar.
The highest single day spike in Darjeeling was 740 cases on May 21 against Kolkata’s highest of 3,955 cases reported on May 14. On Thursday, the city reported 87 new cases while Darjeeling had 88 cases.
“We are in the declining phase of second wave of the Covid pandemic. But we must also remember that daily case loads are not decreasing in every district of Bengal at equal rate due to several factors like population density, transport restrictions, testing strategy, people’s behaviour etc,” said Swasthya Bhawan public health specialist Anirban Dalui.
Some hill stations in North India’s Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal are already swarming with tourists after the unlocking. Darjeeling could also soon see similar situation with people flocking to the Hills once norms in the state get more eased out.

Sarkar said that temporary herd immunity, higher number of test and better vaccine coverage could be some reasons for the sharp case load decline in Kolkata.
“Now if people start rushing to Darjeeling it will prove dangerous for the Hills. With a potential third wave, it is not time for holidaying. Inter zonal movement restrictions should still be imposed unless essential travel till we have about 50% vaccine coverage,” said Sarkar.
Health experts said that vaccination certificate and RT-PCR negative report could also help the Hills in controlling another surge. “Containment and unlocking should be done based on several factors especially daily case loads, test positivity rates and transmissibility. There should be restrictions in tourist spots for now,” added Dalui.
“From awareness, testing, to vaccination, we are taking all efforts to bring the number down further,” said Darjeeling CMOH Proloy Acharya.
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