Mamata condoles demise of first doc in state to die from COVID-19
Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday condoled the death of Dr Biplab Kanti Dasgupta, who was Assistant Director of Health Services in the state and expressed her conviction that his sacrifice would motivate the other COVID-19 warriors in their fight against the deadly virus. Banerjee has conveyed her condolence to the bereaved family members as well.
"We have lost Dr Biplab Kanti Dasgupta, Assistant Director, Health Services, West Bengal, in the early hours of today. He was Assistant Director of Health Services, Central Medical Stores. We are deeply pained with his untimely demise," Banerjee tweeted.
She further reminded that "His sacrifice for the cause of ailing humanity will forever be in our hearts and will make our COVID-19 warriors fight the deadly virus with even greater determination. My heartfelt condolence to Dr Dasgupta's bereaved family members and colleagues."
Dr Dasgupta was diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to a private hospital in Salt Lake. According to hospital sources, he had other co-morbidities as well. He became the first case of a doctor succumbing to the deadly infection in the state.
The 60-year-old doctor was in charge of the Central Medical Store wing. He was a resident of Haridevpur and was admitted to the hospital on April 18 with respiratory distress and other co-morbidities.
He passed away at around 1.20 am on Sunday, hospital sources said. It has been learnt that his wife has also tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, a 34-year-old patient from the Garden Reach area, who had tested positive for the disease and was admitted to the same private hospital on April 23, also succumbed to his ailments at around 7 am on Sunday.
38 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours in the state and the figure of the affected persons has reached 461, while the death toll currently stands at 20. A journalist from a vernacular news channel in the state has reportedly tested positive, along with a woman patient who was admitted to Chittaranjan Seva Sadan Hospital in Hazra.
Marwari Relief Society Hospital has closed down its outdoor and emergency operation for the next 5-7 days, after a nursing staff member tested positive. As many as 17 persons including doctors and health workers have been put under quarantine. The hospital has an existing capacity of 225 beds, out of which 30-35 beds are occupied.
