Bangladesh Sees Sharp Spike in COVID Cases, all 63 Districts Affected

Agartala, May 7, 2020:

After the Government of Bangladesh officially announced the spread of Covid-19 in the hill district of Rangamati adjoining South Tripura with the detection of 4 new cases, all 63 districts in the State have officially become affected by the virus.

Dr Hasan Shahriar Kabir, Chattogram divisional director of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Wednesday afternoon informed about Rangamati district’s Covid 19 spread. After Bangladesh reported its first COVID-19 cases on March 8, the country has been seeing a sharp spike in the number of cases.

On Wednesday, Bangladesh recorded 790 coronavirus patients, the highest single-day spike.

Three more people died recently, taking the death toll from the virus in the country to 186 the total confirmed cases are now 11,719, said Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Nasima Sultana.

Note: Worldometers reports that 12,425 people have been infected with the virus.

Among the three deceased, two were male and one was female. Two of them were aged above 60 and one was aged in the 41-50 bracket, Dr Nasima said, adding that two were from the country's bustling metropolis of Dhaka. "Although IEDCR is collecting samples from suspected patients, the whole process is being coordinated by DGHS now", she further informed.

"In collecting samples from homes, we’ll be prioritising senior citizens and those who’re differently able", Dr Nasima said, adding that the government is working to set up sample collection booths across the capital with support from BRAC.

So far, BRAC has set up four booths at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), three at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and one at Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Memorial Special Hospital, Dr Nasima said. She also noted that an organisation under Oval Group is collecting samples through booths at Titumir College in Dhaka city, Narayanganj and Siddhirganj.

"The construction of more booths is in progress. The booths should be within the reach of everyone" she added. Dr Nasima said although IEDCR is involved in other activities, including research and quality control, it is continuing the sample collection activities. None of the activities has been stopped or suspended, she added.

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