A deputy magistrate in West Bengal became the first senior government officer in the state to have succumbed to COVID-19. According to a health department official, the DM died on Monday.

Debdutta Ray, who was posted in Hooghly district, died at a private hospital in Serampore.

“The officer tested positive for the novel coronavirus last week and was on home isolation. She was hospitalised yesterday morning after she complained of breathing problems. She died today,” the official said.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in West Bengal as the state not only recorded the highest single-day spike till date but also crossed the 10K mark in active cases now.

On Sunday, the West Bengal Health Department, in its daily health bulletin, reported 1,560 fresh COVID cases in the last 24 hours. The active cases in the state now stand at 10,500 with 30,013 total cases till date. On the same day, 26 more deaths were reported taking the COVID death toll to 932. While 622 patients were discharged, the discharge rate has fallen to 61.90% which a week ago on Monday, 6th July was at 66.27%. Samples tested in the last 24 hours were 11,709 across West Bengal.

Kolkata has reported 499 COVID deaths till 12th July.