Birdem ICU closed after 4 patients test positive for coronavirus

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Birdem General Hospital has been closed after four patients undergoing treatment there tested positive for coronavirus.

Later, 11 nurses of the hospital were diagnosed with Covid-19, according to Dr Nazimul Islam, joint director of the hospital.

Thirty-seven doctors, 85 nurses, seven ward boys and 12 cleaners are in home quarantineat present, the doctor said.

"Number of everyday patients at the hospital has declined to less than 100. So, we are not facing manpower shortage. But, if such transmission continues, we do not know what will happen in future," Dr Nazimul told The Daily Star.

All the staffers have been provided with protective gowns, A51 masks, and gloves while staffers at emergency unit have been provided goggles and face shields also.

According to Dr Nazimul, the patient who tested position first was admitted to the hospital's nephrology department on April 14 and was shifted to the ICU on April 18, the doctor said.

The patient's samples were sent to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) lab for coronavirus test which turned out positive, Dr Nazimul said adding that it was his second coronavirus test conducted by the BSMMU.

Soon after receiving the test report on April 19, the patient was shifted to Kurmitola General Hospital, he said.

Meanwhile, samples were collected from five other patients in ICU and sent to BSMMU for test. Three of them were diagnosed with coronavirus on April 21.

Then, the hospital authorities shut down the ICU unit, he added.