Women participating in an awareness campaign on Adenovirus in Kolkata | Photo Credit: ANI
Amid reports of children dying due to adenovirus infection, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on 6 March that 19 children had been infected so far. died of infectionOut of which 13 had co-morbidities.
The Chief Minister said that six children had died of adenovirus alone. Speaking in the state assembly, Ms Banerjee said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, many viruses have changed their character and suggested that adults should start wearing masks to protect children.
the state government is on there is no viral outbreak And the situation is under control even as reports of deaths are coming in from various pediatric hospitals and health clinics in Kolkata.
In a statement on Sunday, the state government said it has created adequate infrastructure across the state in recent years to deal with the situation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is addressing a press conference amid a sharp rise in Adenovirus cases in the state. , Photo Credit: ANI
The state has over 2,500 Sick Natal Care Unit (SNCU) beds, 654 Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and 120 Neonatal Care Unit (NICU) beds. Recently additional 75 PICU beds have also been made operational in BC Roy. Senior doctors have also been deployed at BC Roy Hospital to handle the situation.
Last week, state health secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam had visited several hospitals in the city and took stock of the situation.
on payment of DA allowance
The Chief Minister also broke the silence on this case of payment of dearness allowance (DA) State Government employees at par with Central Government employees.
Ms. Banerjee said, “I have no problem in giving DA, but now I do not have money to give more than 6%.”
The Chief Minister said that his government does not have the capacity to pay more than what the government is paying.
Ms Banerjee folded her hands and said, “If chopping off my head gives you pleasure, do so, but I no longer have the capacity.”
He said that if the state government did not have to pay pension to the employees, his government would save ₹20,000 crore.
“Will I not pay the pension to the employees,” she asked Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
The protesting government employees said that what they are demanding is a legal right.
During the day, Adhikari met the protesting government employees at the Shaheed Minar ground.
State government employees have warned of going on strike if their demands are not met.