Coronavirus Scare: None infected in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is still free from the novel corona virus infection, the authorities concerned said yesterday after analysing 55 samples from people who returned from China recently and were suspected to be infected.

Prof Meerjady Sabrina Flora, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), spoke to journalists in this regard during a regular press briefing in her office in Dhaka.

“We have tested a total of 55 cases, including the latest one from Rangpur, upon suspicion. Every case tested had the same result -- negative. So, we can say firmly there is no coronavirus infection inside the country,” Prof Meerjady said.

On Saturday, the student who returned from China on January 29 was admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital with respiratory problems.

An IEDCR team collected samples to test from the student that same evening. After testing those, they said the student did not have coronavirus.

Authorities said they would discharge the student today.

IEDCR director informed that Bangladesh is not among the high-risk countries listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the novel coronavirus infection.

“We have communication with China and other neighbouring countries [where coronavirus has been confirmed]. Flights are being operated to Singapore every day. So, there are risks but we have taken preparation for this.”

She urged people not to panic about coronavirus and stay sincere in maintaining hygiene.

Meanwhile, the 312 Bangladeshis who returned from Chinese city Wuhan -- the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak and kept quarantined in Ashkona Hajj Camp are well and would be released on Sunday.

“We are working on preparations to discharge all of the Wuhan returnees on Feb 16. All of them are well. We hope there will be no problem,” Dr Shahnila Ferdoushi, director of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), told The Daily Star.

Prof Abul Kalam Azad, director general of the DGHS, yesterday held a meeting through video conference with all divisional directors, civil surgeons and upazila health and family planning officers across the country.

He informed the officials about the coronavirus situation across the globe and told them to take necessary preparations in this regard.

Authorities concerned have also stepped up surveillance in all entry points to bring all the inbound passengers to the country.

Health officers at all border entry points across the country screened some 12,630 inbound passengers from different countries in 24 hours till 8:00am yesterday.

None of the passengers was identified with any symptom of coronavirus during the screenings, according to IEDCR.

Over the 24-hour period, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport reported the highest number of passengers screened was 6,162.

Two other seaports -- Chattogram Seaport and the Mongla Seaport screened a total of 240 passenger.

All the land ports collectively screened a total of 6,228 inbound passengers in the last 24 hours.

The IEDCR has provided hotline numbers for any necessary information or service regarding corona virus.

The hotline numbers are -- 01927711784, 01927711785, 01937000011, and 01937110011.

Meanwhile, at a press briefing after the regular weekly meeting at the Prime Minister’s office, Secretary (Coordination and Reform) of the Cabinet Division Sheikh Mujibur Rahman said, “In accordance with the Cabinet’s decision, no more Bangladeshis will be brought back from coronavirus affected China, as the authorities concerned didn’t find any authenticity of the allegations that Bangladeshis residing in China are not getting food or other facilities.”