Bangladesh reported nine additional fatalities from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) overnight and documented 309 fresh positive cases, marking a significant decline from yesterday’s infection count.
“Over the past 24 hours, nine more COVID-19 patients succumbed, bringing the pandemic's death toll to 140,” stated DGHS Additional Director General (administration) Prof Nasima Sultana during a virtual media briefing at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in the city.
She mentioned that the total count of COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 4998 as 309 more individuals tested positive for the virus in the previous 24 hours, as per reports from BSS.
Analyzing the locality-based transmission of the deadly disease, the health official highlighted a concerning surge in coronavirus positive cases in Gazipur, Mymensingh, Munshiganj, Chattogram, Narsingdi, and Keraniganj.
She characterized Dhaka and Narayanganj as COVID-19 "hotspots" due to the highest number of cases detected in these two cities.
Nasima noted Dhaka city as the worst-affected area, with nearly 45 percent of COVID cases, while Dhaka division retained the top position with over 80 percent of infected cases out of the total coronavirus patients.
In Dhaka city, ten zones – Rajarbagh, Mohammadpur, Lalbagh, Jatrabari, Bangsal, Chakbazar, Mirpur, Uttara, Tejgaon, and Mahakhali — were identified as the worst hit, with the maximum number of cases found in these areas.
The country recorded its first coronavirus death on March 18, ten days after the detection of the initial COVID-19 cases.
The health official detailed that among the nine fatalities, seven individuals were in their 70s, one in their 60s, and one in their 50s. Among the victims, three were in Dhaka, two in Narayanganj, and one each in Joypurhat, Tangail, Madaripur, and Mymensingh.
Nasima highlighted a rapid rise in coronavirus cases in Bangladesh since March 24, with 4,992 people testing positive during this period, compared to just six cases from March 8 to March 23.
She revealed that a total of 43,113 samples have been tested so far since the detection of the first COVID-19 cases in the country, with 3337 samples tested in the past 24 hours.
Currently, there are 23 labs in the country for testing COVID-19 samples, with a government target to establish 28 labs, including the setup of five additional labs within a week.
Nasima emphasized that COVID-19 cases have been reported in 60 districts, indicating a widespread risk of the fatal disease across almost all regions of the country.
She disclosed that Natore and Bhola districts were freshly included in the list of COVID-19-prone districts, while no cases have been reported yet in four districts — Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Jhenaidah, and Satkhira.
Regarding age distribution, Nasima mentioned that 10 percent of COVID-19 cases are in their 60s, 15 percent in their 50s, 18 percent in their 40s, 22 percent in their 30s, 24 percent in their 20s, while eight percent are above ten years old and three percent below 10 years old.
She emphasized the importance of frequent handwashing with soap, covering coughs, and maintaining a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from individuals who are coughing or sneezing as effective measures to protect against the highly contagious virus.
Nasima urged people to stay at home to prevent virus infection and to wear masks when going outside for essential needs. Upon returning home, she advised cleaning hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and washing clothes with detergents for proper hygiene.
During the holy month of Ramadan, she urged Muslim devotees to strictly follow directives from the Religious Affairs Ministry while performing prayers and to avoid iftar gatherings and any other gatherings.
As the coronavirus outbreak continues to escalate, the government has intensified efforts, including extending general holidays until May 5, ensuring quality logistics of medical materials, and enhancing healthcare facilities to combat the pandemic.
Over 1.70 lakh people were quarantined at home and in institutions, with nearly 90,000 people released from quarantine while around 80,971 people remain in quarantine. A total of 601 institutions have been prepared across the country to accommodate over 30,635 people in quarantine, with nearly 1000 people currently in isolation.
To prevent imported cases of COVID-19, screening of all foreign returnees is being conducted at all gateways, including airports, land ports, and waterways.
The government has collected and distributed a significant number of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), with a target to procure 20 lakh PPE by this month. Strict standards are being maintained for all protective equipment to ensure the safety of medical professionals.
The country currently has 192 ICUs and 40 dialysis units to cater to critical COVID-19 patients. Additionally, nearly 33 lakh people have received healthcare services through hotline mobile numbers and health web portals established by the government.
As of April 25, 2020, 10.47 GMT, there have been 197,846 deaths worldwide from the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, with 2,845,859 currently confirmed cases in 210 countries and territories, according to Worldometer. China was the first country to report a death from the novel coronavirus on January 11 in Wuhan, the capital of Central China’s Hubei province.
