Bengal on Saturday logged 474 Covid-19 recoveries, 410 new infections and 10 deaths, as the state’s total active cases dropped for the 89th consecutive day since Vijaya Dashami on October 26.

From 37,190 on Dashami, total active cases are 6,396 now. “We are now looking at a realistic target of total active cases becoming less than 5,000 by February-end,” said a minister.

The state’s recovery rate rose for 92 days straight to touch 97.09, from 87.44 per cent of October 22, the national rate being 96.8. However, Bengal’s mortality rate is 1.78 per cent, with India’s average being 1.43.

The state now has nearly 5.68 lakh Covid-19 cases, including over 5.51 lakh recoveries and 10,107 deaths.

“Festival after festival came and went. Bengal celebrated all of them. Yet, we managed to keep the pandemic from worsening. It is a phenomenal achievement,” said the minister.

The state’s positive confirmation rate is 7.27 per cent now, having improved steadily from the 8.27, 64 days ago.

Bengal’s total test count – including 28,242 tests on Saturday – is over 78.08 lakh now, at 86,756 tests per million people.

The state attributed 8,482 deaths or 83.9 per cent of the toll to comorbidities.