Kolkata sees surge in Covid-19 cases after Durga Puja festivities

<p>
There has been a sharp rise in coronavirus infections in Kolkata after the Durga Puja festivities as the city pays the cost for the huge crowds at shopping centres and pandal hopping that took place with complete disregard to Covid-19 protocol. </p>
<p>
The daily count of fresh coronavirus cases almost doubled in Kolkata to 242 on Friday from the corresponding figure of 127 on the same day last week.</p>
<p>
As many as 150 of these fresh cases were fully vaccinated while 15 had got the first dose.</p>
<p>
The officials are attributing the spike to lack of safety protocols followed by people during Durga puja festivities last week.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/pm-modi-says-crore-vaccinations-feat-marks-glorious-chapter-in-a-new-india-122941.html">PM Modi says 100 crore vaccinations feat marks glorious chapter in a ‘New India’</a></p>
<p>
Civic officials are worried as a large number of these new cases are asymptomatic which means the actual number of infections in the city could be much higher and those infected could turn out to be “super spreaders.” </p>
<p>
Union Health Ministry officials are worried that a similar pattern may emerge after the Diwali festivities in the northern states and are keeping their fingers crossed.</p>
<p>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in his address to the nation on Friday also emphasized the need to maintain strict Covid-19 protocol as the pandemic was still not over.</p>
<p>
The total number of new coronavirus cases in West Bengal has also nearly doubled during the last week from 451 to 833.</p>
<p>
NDTV cited Dr Raja Dhar of CMRI hospital in Kolkata, saying the numbers will rise over the next week or so and what hospitals should look out for is the severity of the infection.</p>
<p>
"If we find that over a period of time the number of cases is rising but the cases are mild, then we may have herd immunity. On the other hand, if hospital admissions and mortality rise, then we go back to the first and second phase, may be not be as bad," he explained.</p>
<p>
The night curfew in the city which had been lifted during Durga Puja has been imposed again from 11 pm to 5 am to contain the spread of the disease.</p>