One more dies of coronavirus

The authorities yesterday said another person died of Covid-19 in the country and the total number of deaths caused by the virus now stands at six.

In 24 hours till 12:00pm yesterday, three people were diagnosed with the infection after 157 suspected patients were tested, Health Minister Zahid Maleque told a press briefing via video conference from his home in the capital.

Now, the number of Covid-19 cases is 54 in the country.

On March 8, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) reported the first Covid-19 case in the country.

To contain the transmission of the deadly virus, the government went for a 10-day countrywide shutdown on March 26 and urged people to maintain physical distancing and stay indoors.

In the latest development, the government yesterday stretched the shutdown to April 11.

"People in many places are not maintaining the government directives. They are roaming around," Zahid said while addressing the briefing.

Urging people to stay at home, the minister said, "We cannot take the country towards danger. You [people] refrain from such activities."

About the test facilities, he said, "We have expanded the facilities. I don't want anyone to be out of test facilities. Those who suspect that they have contracted the virus, come for tests."

So far, Covid-19 tests have been conducted at six laboratories in Dhaka and one outside Dhaka.

Of them, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University has set up a "fever clinic" for patients showing Covid-19-like symptoms. There will be also test facilities.

The minister added that the government was preparing more hospitals outside Dhaka for treating Covid-19 patients.

"We have increased the number of personal protective equipment and masks [for healthcare professionals]," he added.

Organised by the Directorate General of Health Services, Habibur Rahman, director of DGHS's management information system (MIS), and Khondoker Mahbuba Jamil, virologist at the Institute of Public Health, joined the briefing from the MIS conference room.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Ashadul Islam said the number of tests would be increased within days.

He said this while briefing the media via video conferencing from DGHS's management information system (MIS) office after a high-profile meeting at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday.

Director General of DGHS was also present at the briefing.

"The prime minister has directed us to increase the number of tests as early as possible. You will see it within days," the health secretary said.

Representatives from different government and professional bodies attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged people to follow the government advice to stay at home. She also urged doctors not to refuse any patients in fear of Covid-19, the health secretary added.

FIVE DIE WITH FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS

At least five people have died after showing coronavirus-like symptoms in Dhaka, Narail, Shariatpur, and Rajshahi since Tuesday night.

Two people, suffering from fever, runny nose, and cough, died at the isolation unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

The victims are male. One of them, aged 65, passed awayaround 5:00 yesterday and another, aged 32, around 10:30pm on Tuesday.

"They were admitted to the isolation unit with fever, runny nose, and cough on Tuesday. After their death, samples were sent to IEDCR to know whether they had coronavirus infections," said Alauddin Al Azad, an assistant director at the DMCH.

Their bodies were kept at the hospital morgue, he said, adding that the bodies would be handed over to their relatives if the victims' samples tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

In Narail, a 26-year-old man, suffering from fever and breathing problems, died at Narail General Hospital on Tuesday night.

He was a betel nut trader at Rupganj Bazar.

Five families in Cherag Ali Bepari Kandi village of Shariatpur's Naria were isolated yesterday after a man of the area breathed his last at the isolation unit of Shariatpur Sadar Hospital at that night.

The victim had fever and cough, said Joyanti Rupa Roy, Naria upazila nirbahi officer.

A college student with respiratory disease died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on the same night.

The victim, of Nobinagar village in Natore's Lalpur, was a student of Ishwardi Government College.

Talking to journalists, hospital's doctor Azizul Haque said the youth was not infected with coronavirus.

Besides the five families in Shariatpur, multiple families were isolated in Noakhali and Jashore as patients showing Covid-19-like symptoms were reported.

In Noakhali, six people, including three children, of two families were taken to the isolation unit at Sonaimuri Upazila Health Complex, suspecting that they had coronavirus infections.

They were suffering from fever and cold, said Mainul Islam, upazila health officer of Sonaimuri.

They became sick after coming in contact with a Dubai returnee, the doctor added.

Three members of a family of Pachpota village in Jashore's Keshabpur were sent to the isolation unit at the local upazila health complex as they had fever, cold, and cough.

In another development, a government official in Brahmanbaria's Bancharampur was sent to IEDCR yesterday for test as he was suffering from flu-like symptoms.

Our correspondents from Bagerhat, Noakhali, Benapole, and Brahmanbaria contributed to this report.