Coronavirus: Ansar member dies, 166 others infected so far

A member of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (BAVDP) has died with Covid-19 infection and at least 166 others have tested positive so far, a deputy director of the force confirmed today.

Among the infected, 58 members contracted coronavirus while discharging duty at the National Parliament, 65 while working with Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and 43 were infected while on duty at Ansar Headquarters and different districts, Mehnaz Tabassum Rabin, deputy director of BAVDP, told The Daily Star.

Eleven of them have recovered so far, she said.

Ansar member Abdul Mazid, who was discharging duty with Bhatara Police Station under DMP, died with Covid-19 infection on May 11.

Besides, 435 Ansar members are in 14-day quarantine at homes, institutes and hotels as they either came in contact with infected members or were showing Covid-19 symptoms, she said.

Talking to The Daily Star, Mehnaz Tabassum said Ansar members are being infected as they are exposed while discharging their duties with other forces and doctors in hospital.

"It is the Ansar member, who first receives a patient at a hospital and prepares a trolley for them. Besides, our officials are distributing leaflets, working at different hospitals and creating awareness among people," she said.

Asked about protection equipments, she said they have managed protective gears under their own arrangements and distributed those among the members working in the field.