Coronavirus awareness: Disinfection drive on in Sylhet

In face of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) is disinfecting roads by spraying bleaching solution.

The drive kick-started at Sylhet Railway Station and bus terminal in Kadamtali on Saturday morning.

"We are using calcium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleaching powder -- 10gm of it per litre water," said Dr Md Jahidul Islam, chief health officer at SCC.

"In kitchen markets, we are spreading thicker liquids containing greater amount of the powder. We are using handheld sprayers in shopping malls, and spraying vehicles for roads, footpaths, and roadside walls," he told our Sylhet correspondent.

Major roads like Chowhatta, Kumarpara, Nayasarak, Kazitula, Barutkhana, Naiorpul and Zindabazar were covered yesterday, the SCC official said. "In daytime, we are not being able to spray disinfectants on roads and footpaths and thus, conducting the drive after 11am."

Contacted, Professor Dr Ashraful Alam, head of the chemistry department at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, said, "Bleaching powder is the most convenient and effective component for disinfection. The city corporation is doing a good job by spraying the liquid disinfectant.

Dr Jahidul said, "We have plans to place wash blocks at different spots across the city.

"The drive will continue by rotation until we are relieved of the virus outbreak. We need cooperation from the citizens to raise awareness," he added.