Cyclone Amphan hits COVID-19 testing in Bengal; coronavirus death toll rises to 193

number of samples tested for COVID-19 in West Bengal almost halved over last two days, as most technicians could t reach laboratories making ir way through thousands of trees and electric poles that lay scattered across state, owing to impact of Cyclone Amphan, a senior official said.

While number of samples tested on Tuesday and Wednesday were 8,712 and 8,722, respectively, count came down to 4,242 on Thursday and 5,355 on Friday, he said.

"Many laboratories chose t to operate on Wednesday evening as a precautionary measure against cyclone. And on Thursday and Friday technicians at several places could t reach laboratories due to blocked roads.

"In some areas, ambulances carrying samples could t reach laboratories... All this brought testing numbers down," health department official said.

West Bengal reported at least six more COVID-19 fatalities since Thursday, taking death toll in state to 193, a bulletin issued by department said.

Four deaths were reported from city and two from rth 24 Parganas district, it said.

re are at least 1,846 active COVID-19 cases in West Bengal, while total confirmed cases stood at 3,332, bulletin said.

count of those recovered from disease in state is 1,221.