Kolkata, The death toll due to coronavirus in West Bengal climbed to 162 on Saturday as seven more patients succumbed to the disease in the last 24 hours, a senior state government official said.

"Total 162 deaths have been reported so far in West Bengal due to Covid-19, with seven deaths in the last 24 hours. The total corona cases in the state have risen to 2,576 as 115 new cases were reported during the period," West Bengal Home Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay told reporter at the state Secretariat Nabanno.

He said as many as 892 patients have been cured and discharged from various hospitals.

"About 50,000 people are currently in home quarantine and nearly 70,000 released so far in Bengal," Bandopadhyay said.

On the issue of return of Bengal migrant labourers from other states, he said that the state is constantly in talks with the Centre.

"A list of migrant workers from West Bengal has been prepared. The state government has decided to bear all expenses to bring these stranded migrant labourers home," he said, adding that everyone coming from outside will have to undergo necessary tests before allowed entry into West Bengal.

The Home Secretary said that a fight carrying 160 passengers stranded in various countries will arrive at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport on Sunday.

"Many people are also coming back to Bengal by their individual efforts. We have so far issued 24,000 entry passes. We have advised them to stay home-quarantined for 14 days after returning home," Bandopadhyay said.

Meanwhile, state Transport Minister Subhendu Adhikari on Saturday said that bus service will be increased between 7 am and 7 pm from Monday in all areas, except containment zones.

"We are trying to ensure there are no problems for commuters in Kolkata. We will increase the number of buses by running these every half hour in Kolkata and its adjoining places. Already, bus services are resumed on 15 routes in Kolkata," he said.

Adhikary said there would be no fare hike for private buses in Bengal.

Turning down a fare hike proposal for private transport, he said: "We don't want to add to the troubles of the common people now. Each bus will carry only 20 passengers and everyone has to abide by social distancing guidelines. There will be over 1,000 more cabs and single-boggy trams on Kolkata roads from Monday. We are also trying to resume inland waterways transport."