244 Ansar members recover from Covid-19

Around 244 members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party, who earlier tested positive for Covid-19, have recovered till today with a recovery rate of around 58 percent, according to an official of the force.

Conducting massive testing among the force members and providing timely medicine and treatment is the key factor behind the high recovery rate, Mehnaz Tabassum Rabin, deputy director of the force, told The Daily Star today.

"We first identify all the officials who came in close contact or remained on duty with any Covid-19 positive members, and then send them in quarantine in different residential hotels or schools and conduct testing to ensure the virus did not spread among others," said the deputy director.

Ansar has also has taken additional measures as per the directives of the force's director general, Major General Kazi Sharif Kaikobad, by providing care packages -- including zinc tablets, vitamin C, other medicines and food containing minerals -- to boost the force members' immunity, she explains.

Rabin further said that the majority of the members who recovered have already rejoined their duties with other officials, who have been working tirelessly for the country to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

While working in the field and providing medical assistance to patients suffering from coronavirus, around 421 members of the force have been tested Covid-19 positive till today, she said.

So far two Ansar members died from Covid-19 infection. Of them, Ansar member Abdus Sobahan, who was carrying out his duties at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), died while undergoing treatment at Mohammad Ali Hospital of Bogura yesterday.

Another member, Abdul Mazid, who was carrying out his duties at Bhatara Police Station of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, died on May 11.

Around 47 members of the force remain at home quarantine and 77 others remain in quarantine at different hotels and camps, added Rabin.