Lockdown of vulnerable areas if situation worsens: health minister

Health Minister Zahid Maleque today said the government will lock down the most vulnerable areas of the country -- such as Madaripur and Faridpur -- if the coronavirus outbreak worsens.

The minister made the remarks while briefing reporters about the current coronavirus situation at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) in Mohakhali this afternoon.

Over 5,000 people across the country were tested in the last 24 hours on suspicion of coronavirus infection, the minister said, adding that the government is trying to collect more than one lakh testing kits for coronavirus detection.

The minister said the government has already identified several hospitals in Dhaka to treat coronavirus patients and are also preparing 2,000 beds to mitigate the crisis.

"If the situations worsens, we will quarantine people and provide them necessary treatment at Ijtema grounds which will remain under the supervision of Bangladesh Army," he informed.

He urged expats not to come to Bangladesh for the time being, considering the greater interest of the country and their family members and asked people to abide by directions of IEDCR.

The minister also urged journalists not to publish exaggerated reports on coronavirus which may create panic among people.