Mamata Banerjee takes swipe at Bengal's first COVID-19 patient for not taking precaution

While speaking at an event, Banerjee without taking any name said, "I don't support anyone who does not get him tested because one of his family members is influential."

"I believe all must get tested for one's self. I am repeatedly telling people to take care," she added.

Sources in the state administration said the 18-year-old youth, who has tested positive for COVID-19, ignored health advisories and visited multiple locations, including a restaurant and shopping mall, in the city on Monday before taking admission to Beliaghata ID hospital.

"It's been informed that the youth had been advised twice- first by Kolkata airport officials on Sunday and later by M.R. Bangur hospital doctors on Monday- to visit Beliaghata ID hospital as soon as possible, but, he and his family members ignored both the advisories and finally on Tuesday he was admitted to the hospital," the source said.

Presently, the COVID-19 infected youth and six others, including his father, mother and two drivers, who came in contact with him have been kept in quarantine in Beliaghata ID.

West Bengal's home secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay, along with his wife Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee, who is the vice-chancellor of the Calcutta University, has moved to home quarantine a day after the home secretary held a meeting at Nabanna with a lady bureaucrat, whose son tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, reports said. 

According to officials, senior IAS officer Bandyopadhyay held a meeting with the woman WBCS (Exe) official, who has been kept in hospital isolation, at Nabanna on Monday.

Banerjee at the same event on Wednesday urged the foreigners to take the precautionary measures while staying in Kolkata to prevent the spreading of the deadly virus.

The Chief Minister strictly said, "I welcome the foreigners who came to Kolkata but not the disease. I also urge them to refrain from going out unnecessarily or go to shopping malls or parks. People will get infected."  

The Mamata Banerjee government in the last few days took a slew of measures as the virus has kept the country on edge for the last few weeks.

All government, government-aided and private educational institutions have been closed till Apr 15 by the state.

On Tuesday, West Bengal Minister Aroop Biswas announced that all shootings for Bengali films, television serials and digital contents shall remain suspended between Mar 18 and 30.

In a major step, the West Bengal government invoked provisions of Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, so that no patient can escape while undergoing treatment for Coronavirus.

Also a 200-cr fund has been created to fight the disease.

On Wednesday, Banerjee announced that the government employees can leave office by 4 pm to avoid the rush while going back home.

"The employees through roster method can leave their offices before 4 pm to avoid the rush while going back to their respective houses. House is the safest place. Also, employees who are sick can apply for medical leave via online to Chief Secretary through the department. We will accept them for the sake of humanity," she said.

Across the country, 151 people (as per last update) have been infected with Coronavirus while three have died and 14 cured.

(Image Credit: IBNS File)