Death count doubles in two weeks
The government has relaxed the countrywide shutdown at a time when the number of Covid-19 patients is increasing at a faster rate than ever.
The death toll has doubled in the past fortnight, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
With 28 deaths reported yesterday, death toll in the country has risen to 610, up from 298 on May 15.
The country recorded its first death from Covid-19 on March 18.
Experts had suggested that antigen and antibody tests be carried out on people before reopening the businesses and official activities.
They termed the easing of the shutdown without ensuring a proper safety plan a "dangerous decision".
ANTIGEN AND ANTIBODY TEST
Talking to The Daily Star, Prof Muzaherul Huq, former adviser (Southeast Asia Region) of the World Health Organization (WHO), had recently suggested that the government test the office-goers to check infection.
The antigen test is a quick method to detect fragments of proteins found on or within the virus by testing samples collected from the nasal cavity using swabs.
Through the antibody test, it is checked whether a person has developed an immune system against Covid-19. It also determines whether a person has previously or recently been exposed to the coronavirus.
"It takes only 10 minutes to conduct antigen and antibody tests. It will not take more than two days to find out the situation of coronavirus infection in a factory where about 1,000 people work," he said.
Those who would be tested positive in the antigen tests would be sent to isolation, he said, adding that by following this technique, the spread can be prevented in the coming days.
Prof Be-Nazir Ahmed, former director of disease control at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said the next 15 days would be crucial for Bangladesh.
The country has a good reputation for overcoming cholera and diphtheria crises. "If we can properly maintain the personal hygiene, we would be able to overcome the novel coronavirus as well," he said.
"But as a health expert, I'm not seeing any visible plan of the government to combat the deadly virus in the coming days which is frustrating."
DAILY BRIEFING
Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, additional director general (administration) of DGHS yesterday said a total of 9,987 samples were tested in 50 labs across the country.
"In the last 24 hours, 1,764 people tested positive for Covid-19. With them, the total number of infection has reached 44,608," she said.
Meanwhile, 360 Covid-19 patients have recovered during this period, pushing the total number of recovered patients to 9,375 and the recovery rate to 21.02 percent, the DGHS official said.
A total of 469 people were put under isolation in 24 hours, she added.
Among the 28 deceased, 25 were male, she said, adding that 18 were from Dhaka, seven from Chattogram, two from Rangpur and another was from Sylhet division.
Of them, four were between 31-40 years old, four between 41-50, nine between 51-60, six between 61-70, three between 71-80 and two between 81-90 years old, Dr Nasima also said.
Comments