7 test positive including 3 doctors, infant; Health dept yet to confirm cases

Kolkata: Three doctors from Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), two patients, a 21-month-old baby from South Kolkata and a 43-year-old in East Burdwan reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. The Health department is yet to confirm the cases.

A 21-month-old baby from South Kolkata was taken to a private hospital in Park Circus with pneumonia. Chest X-ray was performed on the infant. Swab samples were sent for tests after the doctors found some suspicion.

The report came in positive. The baby had been suffering from fever and respiratory distress since April 16. She is now admitted to Beliaghata ID Hospital. The baby had visited Jharkhand along with her parents in March. Around 15 persons including the baby's family members and the technical assistant who had conducted the X-ray have been put under quarantine.

In a separate case, three doctors from CMCH reportedly tested positive and have been admitted to Beliaghata ID Hospital. It was learnt that two patients also tested positive. Around 12 health workers including doctors have been put under quarantine.

Another case has been reported from Khandakosh in East Burdwan, where a 43-year-old man reportedly tested positive at a private hospital. He was admitted to the hospital on April 14 with suspected symptoms. Around 16 persons have been sent to quarantine.

Meanwhile, the Health department has announced that the frontline medical personnel would work for seven days and then would get leave for seven days. The step has been taken to relieve their stress.

An order issued by the Health department on Sunday states: "There are reports that some frontline medical workers from among those posted in government hospitals in the districts in the vicinity of Kolkata are commuting to and from their residence on a daily basis."

"This is not desirable as it puts mental and physical strain on the medical personnel, besides also putting them at risk of being exposed to the virus. Such daily commuting is unnecessary in the wake of the order dated April 16, specifying that the frontline medical workers will be given week-long duty in the government hospitals and then taken off duty for seven days," the order reads. Chief medical officer of health in the districts or the heads of various medical institutions have been advised to prepare duty rosters based on this 7-day shift system.

The administration has already made arrangements for providing suitable boarding and lodging facilities to frontline medical personnel in the vicinity of their workplaces.

The order also says that the frontline medical personnel will stay at their headquarters. Health personnel have to take prior permission from the concerned authorities if they face any problem.