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The battle for Bengal is preparing the stage for a war against COVID in the state. State government data on the infection show that fresh daily infection numbers have risen an incredible 3,800% since the assembly elections were announced, triggering an intense season of campaigning and hectic political activity.

On February 26, Election Commission announced the poll dates of West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.

That day the number of fresh COVID infections and COVID-related deaths in the state stood at 216 and 3 respectively.

As soon as the election schedule was announced, frenetic political activity began in all the camps, most intensely in ruling Trinamool Congress that was desperate to prolong its 10-year stint in power and main challenger Bharatiya Janata Party determined to wrest power from Mamata Banerjee.

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As campaigning intensified, the curve began to rise at jet speed.

According to data shared by the state health department, the number of fresh infections on April 19 shot up to 8,426 and the death toll rose to 38. The daily infection number is a record for the state since the outbreak of the virus last year.

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Analysing the data reveals chilling figures about the spread of the virus that has already crippled the economy in its first run and is threatening to engulf the country even as the country is trying to recover from the ravages last year.

On December 26 last year, 1,253 fresh infections and 33 deaths were recorded.

The figures went down to 295 and 9 on January 26 this year.

The figures further dipped to 216 and 3 on February 26, the day when the poll schedule was announced.

On March 15, the fresh infection figure went up to 251 but the number of deaths remained at 3.

But on April 2, the daily addition of new cases jumped to 1,733 — a leap of 702% compared to the day poll schedule was announced.

On April 19 fresh cases hit 8,426 and death figure rose to 38, putting the already stressed healthcare infrastructure in both public and private sector under renewed challenge.

|The rise in the number of deaths on April 19 compared to February 26 was 1,166% — all in a period of 52 days since the announcement of the election dates.

Doctors apprehend that if the public meetings and mass gatherings continue, the number of infections might climb newer and newer highs each day.

“It is impossible to adhere to distancing and other safety protocol in a poll season. If normal campaigns continue, the fresh daily additions to infection can even touch 15,000 or more. There is nothing to be surprised,” said Sanjib Banerjee, a doctor from Beliaghata Infectious Disease hospital.

Though there has been some clamour about cancelling mass gatherings and at least one party – Communist Party of India (Marxist) – announcing the cancellation of all public meetings and roadshows, the overall situation has not changed.

“The government is maintaining a strict vigil on the matter. All the chief medical officers in the different districts have been briefed about the situation. We are also constantly in discussions with private hospitals to increase the number of beds for COVID patients,” said Ajoy Chakraborty, director of state health services.

“If we are not obeying the protocols properly still now i.e. wearing mask, maintaining 6 foot distance, washing hands or use sanitizers, the daily infection figures might easily multiply by 1,000 times,” remarked Sabyasachi Saha, a doctor from state-run Bangur Institute of Neurology.