Govt sends 10K Covid-19 testing kits to Bengal

Close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on her government’s preparedness to tackle Covid-19 pandemic, the Centre has sent a record number of test kits: 10,000 units to the state to detect the deadly virus which infected 20 persons including a death here.

This has come as a boost to the state government which is also planning to convert two big hospitals to dedicated Covid-19 facilities for the infected patients’ admission and treatment to tackle their rush. One of them is Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) in central parts of the city while another is Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI) new campus in New Town.

On Sunday, governor Jagdeep Dhankhar tweeted, “Nation rising to face #coronovirues. In togetherness @narendramodi. @MamataOfficial set an example. Am in touch with CM/Center. 10,000 coronavirus testing kits sent by Center to Bengal. Let’s be ultra cautious as we face the uphill task. Time to avoid politics —in efforts/ conduct.”

The test kits were delivered to the National Institute of Cholera & Enteric Diseases from the National Institute of Virology, Pune. Meanwhile, the state government has readied the CMCH, which is a multi disciplinary healthcare establishment under the health department, for the Covid-19 after shifting the patients to other hospitals.

With around 1600 beds, it is going to be opened soon. The health department is also in talks with the union health ministry, since the CNCI comes under its authority, to convert it to the second facility with nearly 700 beds.

Earlier, Ms Banerjee tweeted, “I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all the doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, police personnel, govt officials, emergency response personnel, sanitation workers and volunteers who have come forward in the hour to fight the Covid19.”