Skip to main content

Community spread of Covid-19 seen in Bengal, follow protocols during Puja season: CM Mamata Banerjee

By Unknown

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said there are instances of Covid-19 becoming airborne and the community transmission of the contagion has started in the state and urged people to strictly adhere to the regulations during the coming festive season

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that community transmission of Covid-19 has started in the state.


Speaking to media after a cabinet meeting, Mamata Banerjee said that instances of coronavirus becoming airborne and community spread have been reported in West Bengal.


She also asked people of the state to maintain caution ahead of the upcoming Puja season.


"I ask everybody to follow the Covid-19 safety protocols during the festive season. There are instances of community transmission of Covid-19 and also the contagion becoming airborne," Mamata Banerjee said.


The chief minister asked people of West Bengal to avoid stepping out during the festive season as much as possible.


"I cannot ask people to not to go out but I request you all to not to go out shopping...many go out during this time for Puja celebrations," she said.


Mamata Banerjee also advised people to wear thick masks when they visit Durga Puja pandals in the state.


West Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay said measures are being taken bring down the cost of coronavirus tests and treatment.


Last month, the West Bengal government had issued a notification asking Durga Puja committees to follow Covid-19 safety protocols and set up open pandals where visitors cannot enter without masks.


"Pandals shall have to be spacious and should be kept open from all sides. If in case it becomes essential to have closed ceiling, the sides will have to be kept open and if the sides have to be blocked, the ceiling has to be kept open," the notification signed by Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said.


Entering a marquee without mask and hand sanitiser will not be allowed, the notification said.


Cultural programmes in or near the puja pandal premises are not allowed, according to the notification.


Around 34,437 and 2,509 community Durga Pujas are organised under the jurisdiction of West Bengal police and Kolkata Police respectively.


On Sunday, West Bengal recording its highest single-day spike of 3,612 Covid-19 cases, taking the state's total tally to 2,94,806. The Covid-19 death toll in the state has reached 5,622.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Increased risks of drop out for women and girls : CoronaVirus Updates

By Unknown
The total number of children not returning to their education after the school closures is likely to be significant. The pandemic also risks jeopardizing some of the gains made since 2001 in re-building women and girls’ education following the Taliban regime.  The COVID-19 pandemic is creating additional barriers due to risks—and students’ and parents’ anxiety about risks—associated with children returning to classrooms that are cramped, with no capacity for distancing, often cold, damp and poorly ventilated during the country’s severe winters, and have no or poor hygiene and clean water facilities. The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to drive many women and girls out of education permanently. School closures due to COVID-19, resulting increases in caregiving responsibilities for women and girls, and increases in poverty and unemployment will all make it harder for women and girls to study.  These factors combine in harmful ways with pre-existing discriminatory gender norms, o...
Post a Comment
Read more

No significant benefit of Umifenovir in COVID-19 treatment: Glenmark

By Unknown
Drug firm  Glenmark Pharmaceuticals  on Friday said the addition of  antiviral Umifenovir  did not demonstrate any significant clinical benefit over  Favipiravir  alone in  moderate COVID-19 patients .  The  clinical study  evaluated the possible superiority of the combination's efficacy against Favipiravir monotherapy, Glenmark said in a statement. As per the results that Glenmark presented to the regulator, the study showed no superior clinical outcomes with the addition of Umifenovir, it added. This was the second clinical study after the successful Favipiravir monotherapy trial earlier this year that led the company to receiving the Emergency Use Authorisation for Favipiravir, Glenmark said. "These latest findings confirm that the addition of Umifenovir does not show any incremental benefit in clinical outcomes. Thus Favipiravir therapy along with supportive care remains a suitable and effective choice for mild to moderate COVID-1...
Post a Comment
Read more

Context & pre-existing barriers to education for girls and women

By Unknown
Education is a right for all children and an educated population is essential for building a self-reliant, peaceful, equal, and inclusive Afghan society. Afghanistan’s education system has been severely impacted by decades of conflict, widespread poverty and humanitarian crisis.  Today, funding remains insufficient, as only 3% of Afghanistan’s Gross Domestic Product is allocated to education. International standards state that the government should spend at least 4 to 6% of GDP on education.  The Incheon Declaration and Framework for Action for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 4 recognizes that to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”, least developed countries need to dedicate at least or more than 4 to 6%.  Afghanistan budgets far less than this, and even with this small percentage of funding the country’s education budget continues to be underspent every year.Afghanistan has one of the y...
Post a Comment
Read more