Baby Chakraborty | KalimNews | Kolkata | June 4, 2025 : West Bengal on Tuesday reported its first COVID-19-related death of the year, marking a sombre development in the midst of a fresh rise in infections. A 43-year-old woman from Howrah, who had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in south Kolkata, succumbed to complications late Monday night.
According to the state health department, the woman had tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to CMRI Hospital on May 28 after experiencing a two-week bout of fever and severe respiratory distress. Although she had no known prior medical conditions, tests revealed that her heart’s ejection fraction was critically low at just 20%, and she had rapidly declining kidney function. She was initially supported by BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure) but later required mechanical ventilation. Despite medical intervention, her condition deteriorated due to acute coronary syndrome, acute kidney injury, and septic shock—complications that ultimately proved fatal.
“She was in septic shock and her organs were failing rapidly. Though we attempted intensive intervention, her health condition deteriorated too quickly,” said the hospital’s unit medical head.
The woman was one of eight COVID-19 patients under treatment at the hospital, and the only one in the ICU. Her death was confirmed as a COVID-19 fatality by the state health department, making her one of five COVID-19 deaths reported nationally on Tuesday.
As of Tuesday, West Bengal recorded 41 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, raising the active caseload to 372. Most cases are currently concentrated in Kolkata. Eleven patients have recovered during this period, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Health experts have cautioned that while the current wave is largely mild in nature, individuals with pre-existing health conditions remain at significant risk. “In any outbreak—be it influenza, adenovirus, or COVID-19—mortality can occur among vulnerable populations. That’s why it’s critical that such individuals take extra precautions,” said Dr. Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri, Chief Microbiologist at Peerless Hospital.
Peerless Hospital also confirmed three new COVID-19 positive cases on Tuesday, including a child. Dr. Arpan Chakraborty, a critical care specialist at Apollo Multispecialty Hospital, highlighted that patients with cardiac, renal, or respiratory issues were more likely to require ICU care if infected. “We currently have seven COVID-positive patients, one of whom—an 80-year-old man with heart disease—is in critical care,” he said.
Other city hospitals are also reporting similar trends. Manipal Hospital in Dhakuria has three patients, including one in the ICU. RN Tagore Hospital has reported two positive cases, and Fortis Hospital Anandapur is treating three, according to Chief Nursing Officer Doli Biswas.
The Union Health Ministry and the West Bengal Health Department have both issued advisories urging people not to panic but to stay alert. Citizens, especially those with comorbidities or flu-like symptoms, are being advised to wear masks in crowded places and undergo early testing in case of symptoms like cough, cold, or breathing difficulty.
While the new strain appears less lethal than earlier variants, experts are warning against complacency. “The virus may have weakened in terms of fatality, but we cannot ignore that vulnerable individuals remain at risk,” said infectious diseases specialist Dr. Sayan Chakraborty.
As Bengal records its first COVID-19 death of the year, public health officials are urging continued vigilance, timely testing, and adherence to safety measures to prevent further escalation.