Amid Covid-19 surge, over 20 ballot observers’ assessments return constructive

More than 20 ballot observers in West Bengal have examined constructive for Covid-19 for the reason that finish of the second section of the Assembly elections on April 1, Election Commission (EC) officers stated on Saturday. The assertion got here even because the state reported over a thousand new Covid instances for the third straight day.
Sources within the Commission stated among the 20 examined constructive earlier than they joined responsibility whereas most had been a part of the ballot course of and are actually in isolation. The observers will quickly get replaced, they added.
Like the remainder of the nation, Covid-19 instances are once more rising quickly in West Bengal. On Saturday, the state well being division stated 1,736 new instances had been recorded in 24 hours until 9 am. Five deaths — in Kolkata, Hooghly and North 24 Parganas — pushed up the statewide toll to 10,340. In whole, 26,114 samples had been examined in 24 hours, based on well being officers.
Doctors have stated the present rise in instances is alarming and the scenario can worsen if correct preventive actions usually are not taken.

To cease the unfold of the illness, the EC has mandated fundamental steps equivalent to social distancing, thermal scanning, sanitisation, and using masks. Due to the pandemic, the polling physique has introduced down the variety of most electors in a polling station from 1,500 to 1,000 and elevated the variety of polling stations. However, well being officers suspect that Covid instances will rise additional due to common gatherings and political campaigning. They have instructed district administrations and the Election Commission to strictly adhere to security protocols.
Meanwhile, state well being officers stated 1,562 vaccine periods had been held on Saturday. “Total 73,493 citizens have been vaccinated today [including first and second doses] and cumulatively 55.95 lakh people have been vaccinated so far,” stated Director of Health Services Dr Ajay Chakraborty.