Covid surge in Kolkata: KMC picks 11 micro containment zones, to open safe homes again

While the cases stood at 382 on December 28, the number shot up to 540 on December 29, doubled to 1,090 on December 30 before touching 1,954 on New Year’s Eve.

The city civic body has decided to reopen safe homes in the city from next week. (File)

With the state capital seeing a major spike in Covid-19 cases, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has identified 11 micro containment zones. According to sources, the process of containment will start on January 3.

The city civic body has also decided to reopen safe homes in the city from next week.

Over the past week, Kolkata has seen a surge in cases. While the cases stood at 382 on December 28, the number shot up to 540 on December 29, doubled to 1,090 on December 30 before touching 1,954 on
New Year’s Eve.

Chairing a recent administrative meeting in South 24 Parganas, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the state government was reviewing the situation and micro containment zones were likely to be identified soon.

On Friday, Mayor Firhad Hakim presided over a meeting of the KMC that was also attended by MMIC (health) Atin Ghosh. Officers of Kolkata Police were also present at the meeting.

“At the meeting, we were told not to leave any stone unturned with regard to Covid preparedness as the situation is likely to get worse. Apart from constant awareness drives, we will implement micro-containment zones and ensure more testing for Covid while scaling up vaccination. Apart from continuing the regular vaccination campaign, vaccination for those in the age group of 15-18 years will also start shortly. Schools have been earmarked for the purpose,” said a senior KMC official.

According to sources, ward-wise fresh Covid case numbers were discussed at the meeting. Micro containment zones were identified on the basis of the data. The Kolkata Police was directed to make preparations for these zones, restrict movement and make arrangements for isolation of Covid patients.

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At the meeting, it was decided that barricades would be set up in areas identified as micro containment zones and restrictions imposed on the movement of local residents. Awareness campaigns will also organised through loudspeakers. It was decided that local police stations will help out residents inside these zones with essential items, if needed. Gyms, playgrounds and other public places will be off limits in these areas and the KMC will carry out regular sanitisation drives at housing complexes that fall in these zones.

Meanwhile, a government event at the Netaji Indoor Stadium on Saturday, which was to be attended by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was cancelled in view of the Covid surge.

Ravik Bhattacharya

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More

Atri Mitra

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More

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