North Bengal on Friday reported 2,050 new Covid-19 cases, while 2,075 patients tested negative in the region in the past 24 hours, surpassing the number of fresh infections.

Among the new patients, most of the cases have been reported in Darjeeling (504), followed by Malda (349) districts.

“What has left us relieved to some extent are the figures of patients who have been tested negative. In Darjeeling district, 504 patients have been tested positive in the past 24 hours but another 452 have been tested negative. Also in Malda district, the number of negative patients (564) is comparatively higher than the number of fresh cases (349). Even then, we have to adhere to the restrictions and take all precautions to prevent any steep rise in the number of cases,” said a health official.

However, in the past 24 hours, north Bengal has registered seven deaths, the highest during the current surge.

The rise in the number of negative patients during this period has also kept the total number of active patients at the same range.

“On Thursday, there were 15,721 active patients in the region but today (Friday), it has reduced to 15,689,” said a source.

Sikkim reported 323 new Covid cases in the past 24 hours, with a positivity rate of 26.4 per cent.

Two Covid-19 deaths have been reported in Sikkim on Friday, which has increased the total death toll to 419 in the state since the start of the pandemic. With over 300 positive cases recorded for the fourth consecutive day, the weekly positivity rate stands at 25.7 per cent, said sources.

There are 2,457 active cases in the state now with overall recovery rate of 92 per cent.