Covid-19: No. of micro clusters dips in Kolkata – Times of India

KOLKATA: For the first time in June, the city witnessed a decline in the number of micro containment zones. According to government website, the micro containment zone count in Kolkata has declined from 1,714 to 1,616 in the past 24 hours with 168 micro units being declared Covid-free. Most of these are located in worst hit zones like Cossipore, Chitpore, Bhowanipore and Karaya. The city added 70 new Covid units during the same period.

While the statistics is a morale booster for KMC, police and health workers, experts in virology and infectious diseases cautioned that the dip in number of micro containment zones did not mean that the city has achieved stability in terms of containment. “At best, this could mean that spread of the virus has been contained to a certain level in pockets. But then new micro containment zones are coming up. And with the lockdown appearing to be only on papers, the surge in cases in the city can only go worse,” said virologist Sumon Poddar, an associate professor at Institute of Child Health.

In Kolkata, 1,695 Covid cases were reported from May 19 to June 10. From June 10 to 23, another 1,687 cases were reported. For the past four days, either members of the same family are getting infected or the infection is limited within the nearest neighbourhood. While containment units were seeing an average daily surge of over 100 per day last week, it is now averaging between 70-80 daily.
But not all statistics in the past 24 hours have been positive. The new list shows multiple areas in Shyambazar, Phoolbagan, Barisha and Sarsuna reporting fresh cases. They are located next to some areas where multiple cases have been reported earlier. KMC doctors believe mobility is the only reason for this sudden spurt.
In Behala police division, there are now over 100 containment units. Till the beginning of June, the number was between 45-50.
Medical expert Kaushik Chaki had earlier told TOI that while the migration problem had settled down, the unlock phase was impacting urban and semi-urban zones where mobility was higher.
“There is a very stringent testing protocol for such zones. If such protocols were adhered before declaring those Covid-free then it’s good. But then we also need to know if the new micro containment zones are absolutely fresh pockets or not,” said infectious diseases consultant Debkishore Gupta.