The novel coronavirus claimed one more life in Bangladesh as the health authorities on Tuesday confirmed the detection of six new cases in the last 24 hours.
With the latest figure, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country rose to 39 with four deaths. Briefing the media on regular updates in Dhaka, Director of Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Prof Meerjady Sabrina Flora urged all to maintain social distancing and obey the instructions of the government.
People have been asked to wash hands frequently with soap for 20 seconds, cover cough and sneezes and maintain distance from the ailing people.
The government extended the closure of schools to April 9, and announced 10-day general holidays till April 4 to ensure social distancing.
All communication including bus, launch and train services as well as domestic flights have been suspended till April 4.
Members of the armed forces have been called in to help the civil administration combat the spread of the virus at the field levels.
Prof Flora said they did not find any community transmission of the virus in Bangladesh so far.
“We have tested 92 samples in the last 24 hours,” she said, urging all not to spread any confusion.
“Any death is not a Covid-19. But we see a tendency to relate deaths with coronavirus case which makes the life of the relatives difficult,” she said, referring to a Sylhet patient who died in hospital isolation.
The IEDCR tested the patient’s sample coronavirus negative.
About the latest death, Prof Flora said he was suffering from illness for long and was in hospital.
When asked, she told Bangladesh Post that they are trying to track down the source of his infection.
“She was in hospital from February 26. We heard that a relative from the abroad visited their house during that time. But we aren’t certain how she contracted the virus. She was suffering from other diseases,” she said.
About the other five people who died of coronavirus, Prof Flora said one returned from Saudi Arabia and the rest came to the contact of the previously diagnosed Covid-19 patients.
She urged all not to panic and rushed to hospitals with any influenza.
“We are depriving other patients,” she said, referring to hospital burden.
“Please call us in our hotline numbers or email to us for your queries,” Prof Flora said, urging all to stay at home.