Capital Dhaka has become the riskiest zone for the deadly COVID-19 with 63 newly-infected areas identified, according to IEDCR on Saturday. In the last three days, 251 people were infected in Dhaka, and 83 others in Narayanganj, denoting 53 percent infections are in Dhaka city, and 87 percent corona patients in Dhaka division.
Experts said, as the number of infected persons is soaring with time; keeping Dhaka and Naryanganj residents in their homes is the hardest task for local authorities. If it fails, everything will go beyond our control, say experts. Three more people died of coronavirus infection, it was confirmed on Saturday, taking the death toll to 30. While fifty-eight people have tested positive for Covid-19, With this, the total number of infected has reached 482, according to Health Minister Zahid Maleque.
Government disease monitoring agency, Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) data shows Dhaka’s densely populated areas pose threat of infection. In the capital, various areas have been placed under lockdown by concerned local authorities to contain the virus. Numerous houses in old Dhaka, Mirpur, Khilgaon, Dhanmondi, Jatrabari, Chawk Bazar were brought under complete lockdown.
Authorities are also imposing restrictions on movements in these areas. They also instructed local people to remain inside over mosque sound systems, and also advised to contact via phone, according to Jubayer Ahmed’s Facebook post. Ahmed is a resident of Tolarbag Mirpur area, under lockdown since April 8, when the first Corona infected man died in the area.
Considering infection trends of coronavirus transmission across the country, public health experts warned that this month could be the riskiest for the country if physical distancing is not maintained. Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Principal Dr Khan Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad said, “The whole of April month is risky. There is still time to implement the lockdown effectively. Otherwise, the situation can get worse.”
Stay home, there is no other alternative, he added. Health Department's Additional Director (AD) General Prof Sania Tahmina during online briefing mentioned in this regard, “The ongoing month of April is a critical time for Bangladesh and the chance of community transmission of coronavirus is at its highest unless social distancing is maintained.”
Besides, despite stringent actions against violators of health department directives, many are still seen roaming callously in the capital Dhaka defying the order ‘stay home’. However, police vehicles and army personnel were seen checking and motivating people to follow the ‘stay home’ order.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Nazrul Islam said, “There is no alternative to fighting the disease other than social distancing and maintaining hygiene. “ However, social distancing is likely to cause day laborers and daily wage earners a huge deal of suffering. If possible, in this critical time, wealthy people must extend their helping hands towards the ultra-poor people and the middle class, he further said.
