Fatalities from COVID19 continue to surge in Bangladesh with the total confirmed cases close to 5000. The government on Saturday confirmed nine more deaths overnight from the virus and 309 new infections by testing 3,337 samples. None recovered during the 24 hours period between 8am of Friday and 8am of Saturday.
With that, the number of total cases rose to 4,998 and deaths 140, said Additional Director General for Health Prof Dr Nasima Sultana at the daily health bulletin. She said of those who died five were female and three were make. “Seven of the deceased were aged over 70 years old. Six were from within Dhaka city and three from outside Dhaka.”
Bangladesh confirmed the first cases on March 8 and first death on March 18. The WHO declared the virus pandemic on March 11. The government extended the general holidays until May 5 to contain the spread of the virus and asked people to test with symptoms such as fever and cough.
But there are reports that people cannot test due to lack of testing kits. The Directorate General of Health Services in its daily health bulletin used to give the stocks of testing kits. But recently it stopped giving the figure.
The new infections rose in the last month. On March 23 there were only six cases in Bangladesh. On April 23, it stood at 4186 with 414 new cases on Thursday by testing 3,416 samples.
There are 21 labs in the country for testing samples of COVID-19. On Saturday, the additional director general said they have added two more labs and by the week end the number of total lab would be 28.
The government earlier warned that the entire country is at risk of the virus though Dhaka remained the hotspot since the beginning of the outbreak.
In order to stem the community transmissions of COVID-19, the health official urged the law enforcement agencies and organisations concerned to take strict measures to make the nationwide shutdown more effective.
“The most effective ways to protect ourselves from the super contagious virus are frequently clean your hands with soap, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing,” Dr Nasima said.
People must stay at home to protect themselves from the virus infection, she said: “If they go outside from their home for their emergency needs, they must wear masks”. When the people return home, she said, they must clean their hands with soaps, and their wearing clothes have to be washed by detergents to ensure proper hygiene.
The health official said all health organisations and hospitals should properly examine the standard of the protective gears to ensure safety of their healthcare professionals. People have been asked to contact hotline and mobile numbers: 16263; 333; 10655 and 01944333222 – to receive information and treatment facilities on COVID-19.
