Crowds throng markets in Kolkata before Diwali despite spurt in Covid-19 cases – India Today

Kolkata News

Even as Covid-19 cases are on the rise in West Bengal, people are turning up in large numbers at big markets in Kolkata ahead of Diwali.

Large crowds could be seen every day at Kolkata’s Bada Bazar, Bagri Market, and New Market areas for Diwali shopping. Covid-appropriate behaviour like social distancing is also not being followed.

While many argue that they have gained complete immunity after getting fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, the reality is that about 20 per cent of infection cases in Kolkata are among people who got two doses of the vaccine.

On Sunday, West Bengal recorded 914 new Covid-19 cases, with capital Kolkata contributing 274 cases. Areas such as North 24 Parganas (144), South 24 Parganas (75), Howrah (73) and Hooghly (58) are also contributing significantly to the active case tally.

The state also recorded 15 fresh Covid fatalities on Sunday.

West Bengal has shown an approximately 41 per cent rise in weekly new cases since last week. At least 6,040 cases were recorded between October 20-26 compared to 4,277 cases between October 13-19. There have been early signs of increase in positivity since the past four weeks from 1.93 per cent in the week of September 28- October 4 to 2.39 per cent during October 19-25.

West Bengal has also witnessed a decline in the tests conducted from 2,62,319 during September 28-October 4 to 2,61,515 in the week of October 19-25.

Although the positivity rate has come down a little below 2 per cent, but doctors say that the threat of Covid-19 still remains. As crowds return to markets ahead of Diwali, it is natural for infection cases to increase, just like during Durga Puja.

Also Read | Rising Covid-19 cases in Bengal, Assam: Centre asks states to enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/west-bengal-kolkata-crowd-diwali-covid-19-cases-1872181-2021-11-01