COVID-19: 70 cops of Kolkata Police infected in second wave

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With campaigns, public rallies and roadshows going on in West Bengal for the assembly elections, COVID-19 infections are rising fast. Several cops, too, have been infected.

As many as 70 police personnel have been infected in the second wave of the virus.

Of the 70 who have contracted the virus, 18 were vaccinated.

An officer-in-charge (OC) of a police station in the city and all members of his family are also infected. They are keeping themselves isolated.

Those who have been vaccinated have mild symptoms.

Elections will be held in assembly seats in Kolkata in seventh and eighth phase on April 26 and April 29.

Follow protocol strictly: Police Commissioner

Following the rise in cases in the force, Kolkata Police Commissioner Soumen Mitra has issued fresh guidelines for the personnel. All have been instructed to follow COVID rules strictly.

Vaccination is also a priority for frontline workers. As per the latest data, 33,000 police personnel got the first dose of COVID vaccine, while 20,000 got the second dose.

There are around 35,000 police personnel in the city.

Since the outbreak of the virus last year, more than 2,000 city police personnel have been infected and 24 cops have died due to Covid-19.

On April 20, the state registered the highest single-day spike of 9,819 COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 6,78,172.

Bengal: Fatality rate 10% among those above 75

The death toll also rose to 10,652 after 46 fresh fatalities were reported. Fatality rate above 75 years age group in the state is 10%.

On April 19, Kolkata registered a one-day jump of 2,234 new cases and 13 deaths while 1,209 patients recovered from disease in the state.