COVID-19 claims 2nd life in Bengal, affected tally at 22

Kolkata: Bengal recorded its second death due to COVID-19 on Monday, when a 44-year-old woman died in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. The resident of Kalimpong was admitted to the hospital on March 26. Meanwhile, four persons have been affected in the past 24 hours, taking the tally to 22 in the state so far.

According to the Health department, the victim had gone to Chennai to meet her daughter who is settled there. She had returned to Bagdogra on March 19. After reaching home she developed fever on March 20. On March 26, the victim was taken to a diagnostic centre in Siliguri, following severe respiratory distress. CT scan was also performed on her. On the same day, she was admitted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

Her health condition deteriorated since Sunday afternoon and she died early on Monday morning. The victim's daughter and son-in-law have been kept under home quarantine in Kalimpong. The staff members of the diagnostic centre in Siliguri have been asked to remain under home quarantine and the centre has been sealed by the local administration.

The body of the deceased was cremated in Siliguri on Monday by the district administration, as per WHO guidelines.

In another incident, a middle-aged woman, a resident of Bongaon who was admitted to NRS Medical College and Hospital on Sunday with various complications, died on Monday. Her swab samples have been sent for tests, the report of which is yet to reach the Health department.

The hospital authorities will not hand over the body to her family members till the report comes in. The deceased had reportedly visited Chennai for treatment recently.

Meanwhile, the anesthesiologist who tested positive on Sunday has been in stable condition. He has been undergoing treatment at the same hospital. Sanitising works have been carried out at the hospital on Monday.

On Monday, a 77-year-old man, a resident of Sova Bazar, was admitted to a private hospital on EM Bypass. The patient has been kept under ventilation.

Around 9 persons including the doctors and health workers from two private hospitals have been kept under home quarantine. A 66-year-old resident of Baranagar had tested positive on Sunday. He was initially taken to a private hospital at Baguiati and later shifted to another private hospital.

His younger brother has been admitted to a private hospital on EM Bypass, whose swab sample has been sent for test. As many as 21 persons including some of their family members have been kept under quarantine.