Coronavirus claims first journo, cop in Bangladesh

A senior journalist and a policeman, who were infected with coronavirus, died in city hospitals on Tuesday night.

These are the first deaths in the respective communities that have been working during the outbreak.

Humayun Kabir Khokon, 47, was the chief reporter of Dainik Somoyer Alo, while Jasim Uddin, 40, was a constable of Wari Police Station of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. 

Humayun had been suffering from cough and breathing problems for the last couple of days. As his condition deteriorated, he was rushed to Regent Hospital in Uttara around 7:00pm on Tuesday in an unconscious state.

He was declared dead at the hospital's ICU about 9:45pm, say his colleagues and family.

His samples were collected and sent to IEDCR for tests later.

"The IEDCR sent the test report around 3:45pm today [yesterday]. The report stated that he contracted Covid-19," said Md Shahed, chairman of the hospital. 

Several ministers, political leaders, journalist organisations, and inspector general of police expressed condolence over his death.

He left behind his wife, two daughters, a son, and a host of relatives and colleagues to mourn his death.

Humayun, also president of Brihottor Cumilla Sangbadik Samity, had earlier worked for different media houses, including Amader Somoy and Dainik Manabzamin.

Meanwhile, constable Jasim, who was in self-quarantine and had died on Tuesday night, tested positive for coronavirus yesterday.

"The 40-year-old constable was in self-quarantine since he showed flu symptoms on April 25 ... His samples were collected a couple of days ago. He tested positive today [yesterday]," Azizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Wari Police Station, told The Daily Star.

The constable was in self-quarantine at a hotel in Fakirerpool area. As his condition worsened, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 10:00pm on Tuesday where doctors declared him dead, police said.

Expressing deep shock at the death of Jasim, Bangladesh Police Headquarters said he was a proud member of the force who was a field-level frontline fighter against the deadly virus.

Bangladesh Police will turn the shock of losing Jasim Uddin into strength, says a press release of Police Headquarters.

Police will always stand by Jasim Uddin's family, it added.

More than 200 police personnel have so far been infected and over 600 have been in quarantine across the country.