Health experts fear that the decision to relax the lockdown may prove to be costly amid the increasing rates of coronavirus infection and deaths.
They said that the pandemic COVID-19 is increasing day by day as people are not willing to obeyhealth directives and follow government restrictions on movements.
Besides, reopening of garment factories, shopping malls, business establishments and mosques may further deteriorate the situation, said the health experts.
The public health experts believe thatthe number of infected people and deaths are increasing day by day largely due to the ‘relaxed lockdown’.
According to them, when ‘lockdown’ was announced in the first phase, it was not strictly followed. Later, when it is relaxed, it was assumed that such a worsesituation (increase in infection) might occur.
Experts explained that it is important to continue the lockdown period at least till the Eid festival to avoid public mass gathering ahead of the Eid festival.
They also said that as the number of infection and deaths are rising, the lockdown should be enforced in a more stringent manner. Otherwise, the situation might go beyond control.
It should be mentioned that with a view to preventing coronavirus infection, countrywide general holidays are on since March 26. Public transport, shops, shopping malls and educational institutions remained closed for the holidays.
But, the ban on praying in congregation at mosques has been lifted since Thursday. Shops are going to be opened for Eid shopping from May 10.
Earlier, the garment factories were opened on April 27. Other factories have also started opening.
As a result, the 'lockdown' is no more effective despite various steps taken by the law enforcement agencies. Social or physical distance is not being maintained in many areas including in the capital Dhaka.
In the last two months, 12,425 cases of corona have been identified in the country and more than 200 people died, according to government figures. In addition, 318 other people died of symptoms having similarities with corona in the same period.
Professor Nazrul Islam, a former Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, who is also an eminent virologist, agreesthat such a situation has arisen due to ineffective lockdown. “The number of patients isincreasing for the same reason,” he added.
“Deaths of patients are increasing due to the irresponsible behavior of the doctors in the hospital,”, believes the former BSMMU VC.
He suggested tightening the lockdown, as well as improving the hospital's treatment system.
Professor Kamrul Hasan Khan, another former VC of the BSMMU said as the number of victims is increasing, so is the number of deaths.
He said, “If the patients could be identified and treated first, it would be possible to reduce the mortality rate to a great extent. Now the lockdown has been relaxed. This will further aggravate the situation.”
ProfessorSM Shahid Ullah, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Office Secretary, who is also a prominent microbiologist, said, “Increase in mortality rate in corona depends on the type of patients. But a sudden increase in mortality is not a good sign indeed.”
He said that it is a cause for concern. The country has seen an increase in the number of victims and deaths due to the relaxed lockdown. With the number of deaths and injuries on the rise, there is a need for extending the shutdown.
Professor AKM Shamsuzzaman, Director at the Medicine and Referral Center of Bangladesh Institute of Laboratory, said, “We had predicted long ago that such situation would happen with the number of corona infection and deaths from it.”