Bengal's active Covid cases touch triple digits

The number of active Covids in Bengal touched triple digits on Friday - the first in four months - and continues to do so, although experts said there was no need to panic now. The last time Bengal had active cases in triple digits was on November 24, 2022, after which the number dropped to double digits and stayed there before starting to rise and touching triple digits on March 31.

As of Sunday, the state had a total of 127 active cases, including 14 new positive cases reported in the last 24 hours. Health officials said most of these cases are patients in home isolation because they have a mild infection and only a handful have been admitted to hospitals.

For more than four months, the number of daily active cases in Bengal has been below 100. It remained so even three days ago before it started crossing triple digits. Officials acknowledged the rise in cases but said there was no cause for panic.
"The infection is mild in most people. However, people need to be aware of the increase in Covid cases and stay safe by adopting Covid-appropriate behaviour," said a senior state health official.

Sources at Swasthya Bhawan said that nearly 40% of these active cases are in Kolkata alone, where the positivity rate has crossed the 4% mark, the highest of any district in the state. Just a fortnight ago, the positivity rate in the city was only 1.1%. With positivity rapidly increasing, health experts believe that there will be an increase in hospitalizations over the next few weeks.

"Because of vaccine protection, natural immunity and previous infections, most of those infected will still get a mild infection. But the infection can be severe in a proportion among the elderly with comorbidities and the immunocompromised. As a result, there may be a slight increase in hospitalizations, as well as mortality," he said doctor of government hospital.

Just a week ago, the state's overall positivity rate was below 1%, which has now moved slightly above 1%. Birbhum also has 4% positivity. Nine districts have still not reported any positive case of Covid in the last week.