Kolkota brings back containment zones as Covid-19 cases rise after Durga Pooja

Active Covid-19 cases rose to 989 on Sunday in Kolkota, with the number expected to breach 1000 today as the Bengali capital battles with resurgent cases of Covid-19 following Durga Pooja celebrations. Such a spike was last seen in the thick of the second wave in July, health officials reported.

Containment zones have been re-introduced in North 24 Parganas and Howrah, with the latter having 14 and the former having 56. Officials will also bring back the night curfew from 11 PM - 5 AM that had been lifted during pooja celebrations. Kolkata reported 273 new cases, the highest number of fresh Covid-19 cases among other districts in the state. North 24 Parganas registered 146 cases. Howrah registered 83 cases. South 24 Parganas, which shares its borders with Kolkata, recorded 74 cases while Hooghly reported 89 cases.

Covid protocols were flouted during the celebrations with huge crowds gathering in houses and pandals to perform the pooja and this was leading to the increase in case said Dr Manas Gumta, general secretary of the Association of Health Service Doctors in the state. Masks, social distancing and sanitising measures were also not followed by the crowds according to health officials.

Experts earlier warned that at least two weeks following the Durga puja would be crucial to check the spread of the virus and prevent a possible third wave.