The Covid-19 pandemic is now under control and the situation has vastly improved in Bangladesh due to the government’s effective measures.
Earlier, the Prime Minister had said a second wave of corona could come in the winter. Based on her warning and subsequent instructions the concerned departments took early measures to contain the spread of the virus in public places. In fact, it is now widely noticed that many people are showing interests in following health safety rules on hygiene control.
There were effective measures like refraining from holding mass gatherings, meetings and enforcing wearing of face masks and maintaining physical distances. Events with large numbers of people were not allowed, the traditional Ekushe Book fair (ekushe boi mela) will not held, and victory day (December 16) observance fair were not held. Political parties do big conferences in winter usually, but all of them were postponed respecting the government’s instructions to avoid mass gatherings in public places.
The number of corona patients in the country has been gradually declining since last December. The rate of patient identification is also showing a down trend in proportion to the number of tests. Over the last 10 days, the rate has come down to around five percent.
At the same time, according to the government's Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), the increase rate of the disease has also decreased in the country.
Experts said that it is a "good sign" that the detection rate in the country is staying at 5 per cent and the infection rate is around 1 per cent. According to them, as per the World Health Organization, if the detection rate in a country remains stable at four to five weeks, the infection can be said to be at a tolerable level.
However, experts also warn that in many countries, the detection rate has increased again, even after reaching zero. Then to bring the situation under control there was a need to follow the hygiene rules and give a new lockdown.
In such a situation, in order to bring the coronavirus under control in the country, there can be no slackness in following the hygiene rules. Experts also advise to keep social distance, wear masks and wash hands with soap.
In this regard, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) former vice-chancellor Professor Nazrul Islam, also former chairman of virology department, said that the situation in the country is looking good. “We will have to see at least a week more to see if the rate of infection is going down. But the signs are very good. That means we are moving in the right direction.”
“If such a situation continues for a month, then coronavirus infection in the country will be considered controlled,” Professor Nazrul said.
He said that if the detection rate remained the same for at least three more weeks, the World Health Organization would also give its opinion on coronavirus control in Bangladesh. Then the Bangladesh government will be able to take various decisions including opening schools and colleges. He suggested that the situation in Bangladesh is better than other countries in controlling coronavirus infection.
The expert said that now the infected victims have to be brought under isolation and treatment. Wherever you are at home or in the hospital, treatment must be ensured. Then the number of deaths can be reduced.
In this regard, Dr ASM Alamgir, principal scientific officer of IEDCR, said, “If people continue to follow hygiene and wear face masks, the infection will be less. If the laxity comes again in terms of hygiene, then it will increase again. That is why there can be no compromise in following the hygiene rules.”
However, in the 24 hours till Monday morning, new 697 infections were reported with the daily test positivity rate standing at 5.49 percent. It was 4.23% and 4.73% on Sunday and Saturday respectively.
The total number of deaths has now reached 7,922 and the death rate stands at 1.50 percent. And the total number of recoveries now stands at 4,73,173 and the recovery rate stands at 89.56 percent.
