Mamata Banerjee reviews covid-19 readiness as Bengal sees rise in cases; urges caution, not panic

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday held a meeting with officials to review the Covid-19 preparedness amid increasing cases in the state.

West Bengal reported 54 fresh cases of Covid-19 till Monday, taking the total number of active coronavirus infections to 747, data released by the health and family welfare ministry showed.

Banerjee urged people not to panic but take necessary precautionary measures.

She said at the state secretariat Nabanna, after holding a meeting with chief secretary Manoj Pant and officials from the top to the lower levels of the administration, including panchayat and block levels, that state-run hospitals are stepping up preparedness and facilities are ready.

“India has 130 crore population, and 4,000-5,000 cases have been found across the country. Experts are saying there is no reason to panic but precautions should be maintained, so we held a meeting on this,” the CM said.

She said Covid-19 vaccine was taken by all and that coronavirus had reached the endemic stage.

“The meeting is mainly related to preparedness,” Banerjee said. “People should try to get treatment in state-run hospitals and we are ready with all the facilities.”