West Bengal reports over 15,000 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

The positive cases have come from 62,413 samples which were tested in the last 24 hours.

Among 15,421, 6,569 have been reported alone from the capital city, Kolkata.

In the same span of time, 7,343 COVID-19 patients have been discharged from various health facilities.

In the last one day, 19 people have apparently died due to the virus.

Hinting at stricter anti-coronavirus curbs in the days to follow, the state government on Thursday made the RT-PCR report mandatory for all inter-state border movements.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday held a press conference at her office 'Nabanna' where she requested people to wear masks and hand gloves besides maintaining other COVID-19 protocols.

"The next 15 days are crucial," she said.

Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has reserved its judgement on a plea seeking cancellation of Gangasagar Mela, with which the government controversially wants to go ahead with COVID-19 protocols in place.

On the occasion of 'Makar Sankranti', lakhs of Hindu devotees every year go to Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district and take holy dips and offer prayers at Kapil Muni Temple.

Amid the massive spike in COVID-19, the government's decision to allow the Mela has attracted sharp criticism from various corners.

The opposition parties, from Left to Right, have already slammed the Mamata Banerjee government for allowing mass gatherings at Kolkata's Park Street on Christmas and New Year's eve.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition party in the state, has called the recent spike in cases as "Nabanna-sponsored third wave".