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Killing off Coronavirus: Nasal spray developed by Bangladesh to ‘hit market soon’
As the race is on to find a way to get rid of the deadly Coronavirus, Bangladesh has developed a nasal spray which ‘can kill’ the virus on contact, raising hope among many.
Bangladesh Reference Institute for Chemical Measurement (BRICM), set up by the government for the development of chemical metrology, has developed the spray named, ‘Bangasafe Oro-Nasal Spray’.
The BRICM claims that it can help people kill the virus as it is already known that the transmission points of the virus are mouth, nose and the eyes.
Talking to UNB, BRICM Director General Dr Mala Khan said, “Soon, we’re going to introduce a nasal spray having the capacity of killing coronavirus.”
“We got the approval from the Bangladesh Medical Research Council (BMRC) for its running clinical trial on March 24, and it’ll be completed soon,” she added.
Replying to a question when the nasal spray will be available in the market, Mala Khan said, “We want to make it available at the local market with every preparation and now we don’t want to disclose any further detail of it. But it can be said it’ll be available soon.”
Asked about its price, the BRICM DG said, “It’ll be kept within the buying capacity of general people, and the price will be fixed after reviewing the production cost as we don’t have any intention to make any profit. It’s being produced for the wellbeing of people.”
Replying to another question, she said: “We can produce it as per the demand of people.”
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Daily deaths shoot past 100; new cases fall dramatically
According to the BRICM, coronavirus exists in the nose, ear, mouth and throat, and the spray has the capacity to kill coronavirus in those areas. So, this spray use can help the Corona-infected people to recover from its infections soon.
Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh
After a slight fall for several days, Bangladesh’s daily coronavirus death toll crossed the 100-mark again on Sunday with a sharp fall in new cases.
The fatalities climbed to 11,053 with 101 deaths in the past 24 hours until the morning. The virus also infected 2,922 people, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout.
The daily infection rate rose to 13.33 percent from Saturday’s 13.11 percent while the mortality rate remained static at 1.48 percent.
Also read: Pandemic in Bangladesh: Shops, malls reopen doors
What experts say
Bangladesh is unlikely to see any improvement in the Covid-19 situation before June next as the country is still in the grip of its second wave, predicted by a group of local and international health experts.
Using a mathematical model, Bangladesh Como Modelling Group, a group of experts from both Bangladesh and Oxford University, also projected that the country will witness a similar infection rate intermittently till the end of May while the situation may improve in June.
However, some local experts think the virus is yet to reach its peak as it is spreading fast in newer areas alarmingly since many people had returned to their village homes from corona hotspots before the government enforced the lockdown.
Read Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Daily deaths shoot past 100; new cases fall dramatically
Shutting border with India: Experts praise it as prudent decision
Experts have highly appreciated the government for its move to shut the border with India for the next 14 days as they think that the border control is now crucial to block the highly infectious virus variants that have emerged in the neighbouring country.
They warned that Bangladesh may face the similar catastrophic Covid crisis like in India if the 'triple mutant variant or 'Bengal strain' spread to Bangladesh by any means as it is reportedly more infectious than any other strain in the world.
The experts said the government should now put the BGB members on high alert so that no one can enter Bangladesh from India until the situation improves in West Bengal and other bordering states.
Earlier in the day, the government announced to shut borders with India for any kind of movement except that of cargoes for the next 14 days from Monday to control the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. The decision will become effective from 6 am on Monday.
India on Sunday reported a record daily rise of 349,691 new coronavirus infections and became the first country in the world to add over 3 lakh cases to its tally for four consecutive days. West Bengal is one of the worst-hit states due to the emergence of a triple mutant strain.
Also read: Border with India to remain shut for 14 days: FM
A total of 2,767 people were reported dead on Sunday, according to the Indian health ministry data, taking the total coronavirus fatalities to 192,311.
Remaining on high alert
Prof Dr Muzaherul Huq, former regional adviser of the World Health Organization, South East Asia Region, said the deteriorating Covid situation in India is a matter of serious concerns for Bangladesh.
He said the government has taken the right decision to close the border with India. “We should also keep suspending rail, water and air connectivity with India until the situation becomes normal there.”
Public health expert MH Chowdhury (Lenin), chairman of the medicine department at the Health and Hope Hospital, said the coronavirus spreads between people, mainly when an infected person comes in close contact with another.
“This virus has shown that it knows no boundaries and respects no borders. So, when the virus transmission is exploding alarmingly in our neighbouring country through double and 'triple mutant variants’, it was necessary for us to remain alert and take effective steps to avert a catastrophic situation. We hope the government’s decision of shutting the border with India can help contain the spread of deadly virus strains now prevailing in the neighbouring country,” he said.
Also read: India's COVID-19 tally nearing 17 mln
The expert said the government should now put the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) on the highest alert so that no one can trespass the border.
Eminent virologist Prof Nazrul Islam, a member of the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19, said their panel suggested the government ensuring a 14-day institutional quarantine for all those who will enter Bangladesh from India instead of completely closing the border.
“As the government has decided to shut the borders, we hope the government will take necessary steps to implement its decision,” he said.
Doing genome sequencing
Dr Lenin said the government should give focus on regular genome sequencing study to detect whether the double and 'triple mutant variant' of Covid-19 has a prevalence in Bangladesh and know the changes in the nature of the virus.
He said wearing masks is the main protective weapon against any variant, be it double or 'triple mutant one. “So, we must encourage and force our people to wear masks by taking various steps, including forming monitoring teams in every locality and enforcing the law.
Also read: India's crematoriums overwhelmed as virus 'swallows people'
Lenin said the second wave of the virus came due to a relaxed attitude, lack of awareness and effective control measures. “We’ll also witness the third wave if we become reckless again.”
Preparing to face the worst
Despite taking all the preventive measures, Dr Lenin said, the 'triple mutant variant' can travel to Bangladesh. “So, we need to take preparations in advance for ensuring adequate oxygen supply to hospitals and increase beds and ensure all other necessary equipment to tackle any possible worst situation in the days to come.”
He said the government should also form mobile medical teams and take preparations for installing field hospitals to ensure proper healthcare if the country experiences a further surge in the virus infection like India.
The expert said it seems the virus transmission in the country has decreased due to the lockdown. “So, we should work out some strategies to come out from the lockdown in phases. If we suddenly ease the lockdown and reopen everything without any strategy and preventive measures, the situation may deteriorate further.”
No alternative to vaccination
Dr Muzaherul said the government has no alternative to ensuring 25 crore vaccine jabs for 12.5 crore people to achieve herd immunity and thus get rid of the virus.
Also read: Bangladesh to get 21 lakh Covid vaccine doses by early May: DGHS
He said the government should intensify its efforts to get vaccine/s from different sources instead of depending on one country.
Dr Muzaherul said though the virus transmission rate has been showing a declining trend, there is no room for complacency as it may increase anytime for lack of proper preventive measures.
He said the government lacks a comprehensive plan and strategy to control the virus outbreak.
“For lack of such a strategy, we’re enforcing lockdowns, but cannot implement the restrictions. We’re also reopening everything before the virus infection comes under control. These are not scientific decisions. Without having a right strategy in place, it may not be possible to contain such a highly contagious virus,” Muzaherul observed.
Read Virus ‘swallowing’ people in India; crematoriums overwhelmed
Dhaka’s air quality improved in lockdown, a blessing in disguise!
The air quality of Dhaka city has made a marked improvement by some 45pc on average a day during the first seven days of the Covid-19 lockdown due to the low level of emissions.
According to a survey conducted by Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) of Stamford University Bangladesh, four reasons effectively worked behind the strange improvement in the air quality.
Read Dhaka keeps grappling with ‘hazardous’ air
It said low traffic flow, suspension of road renovation and construction works and lack of activities to burn wastes led to the improvement in the air quality though it is said to be a short-lived gain.
Even the air pollution declined by 70pc in some areas in the city during the April 14-21 period, the survey says.
Read No respite from pollution as Dhaka’s air quality still ‘unhealthy’
The survey was carried out under a project titled “Promoting Democratic Governance and Collective Advocacy for Environmental Protection in Dhaka City” with financial support from USAID and UKAid.
As part of the survey, the air quality was measured using automatic equipment for eight hours a day in 10 areas of the capital.
Also read: Dhaka is world's most polluted city
The measurement showed that the air quality has improved on average 45pc a day from April 14 to 21 last.
Govt likely to ease lockdown after Apr 28
The restrictions on movement are likely to be relaxed to some extent from April 28, two weeks before the Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of the Muslims.
But there has not been any final decision yet and it is not clear right now to which extent the restrictions will be slackened. “The decision will be taken on April 28,” State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told UNB.
Read Extension of lockdown causing anxiety among low income earners
“Even if the restrictions are relaxed, we’ll have to properly maintain health guidelines and the government will ensure strict implementation of ‘no mask, no service’ policy,” he said.
State Minister Farhad said health guidelines will be ensured after the shops and shopping malls are opened from April 25.
“Covid infections can be kept in check if all of us follow health guidelines, wear masks and maintain recommended physical distancing,” he said. “We’ll get a positive result if we follow the restrictions until April 28. We’re focusing on health rules.”
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
No decision on public transport
Asked what the relaxed lockdown will look like, State Minister Farhad said there won’t be many restrictions. “The existing ones will be limited. There’ll be guidelines for daily life,” he said.
A circular will be issued within April 28 on the operation of offices.
Farhad said they are discussing the public transport issue. “There hasn’t been any decision yet. But once they resume, we’ll ensure that health rules are strictly followed,” he noted.
Read More people, vehicles on Dhaka roads in defiance of lockdown rules
TSC Renovation: How will the new look be?
The Teacher-Student Centre, popularly known as TSC on the Dhaka University (DU) campus, was established in 1961. It is set to be renovated keeping its old structure as part of the university’s birth centenary celebrations in 2021.
The University authority primarily approved the new design provided by The Public Works Department (PWD) of the government but the construction work will start after Prime Minister’s approval. Before that, PWD proposed to rebuild TSC entirely, which sparked debate and anger among students, teachers and alumni.
Later, the authorities instructed PWD to form a new design keeping its old structure. After several meetings, both stakeholders signed off on the new design.
Also read: TSC reconstruction: DU authorities seek opinion from teachers, students
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on September 2 last year said a plan to modernize Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), TSC and Shahbagh’s Public Library. "Dhaka University is our university and we want to build TSC in a modern way," said the PM on that day.
She also said that she had already directed the authorities concerned to prepare its design in a proper manner.
What will the new TSC complex look like?
According to the new draft design, TSC’s present structure will not be demolished. A 10-storied new building will be constructed where the swimming pool is now located.
“The new facility will be built and incorporated with the existing structure. It will include rehearsal rooms for cultural activities, rooms with modern facilities for TSC-based socio-cultural groups, indoor games room, separate cafeteria, two auditorium, gymnasium, teachers’ lounge, two basements for vehicle parking, and more,” said Acting Director Syed Ali Akbar.
Read 5-storey building tilts in Chattogram: Residents evacuated
He said the entrance of the new building would be from the west of TSC. The construction work will be started from the back where now the swimming pool is situated.
“Our engineering section is not involved with the designing or construction work, moreover the PWD will do as per the prime minister’s instruction,” he continued.
Mir Manzurur Rahman, Chief Architect, Department of Architecture, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, said, “We did a draft design following DU’s requisition. We cover almost all of the requisition including two auditoriums, a lecture theater, a gymnasium and some office space and others. We insert these requisitions into 10 storied building and Dhaka University is happy with our design.”
“Old existing structures will not be rebuilt. We will just renovate existing structures as per necessity,” he added.
The TSC director provided a requisition list to the university's engineering department, which was subsequently submitted to PWD on October 18 last year by the DU authorities.
The acting chief engineer of DU Abul Kalam Sikder said, “PWD will provide the new design to the prime minister and if she approves the design, they will start construction work."
DU pro vice-chancellor (administration) Prof Muhammad Samad said, “This design is acceptable. It will be handed over to prime minister though PWD and final work will start if the PM approves the design.”
Prof Samad hoped that construction work would begin soon under the direct concern of the prime minister.
Also read: Bangabandhu’s historic photo kept at TSC
Mohiuddin Mahi, a third-year student of Mass Communication and Journalism said, TSC is the social and cultural hub of our campus which was built when the varsity had a small number of students.
“However, it has never been reconstructed again although the number of students and teachers has been increasing every year. So, this is a great initiative indeed but the authorities have to be sincere enough so that none of its tradition or aesthetic beauties get destroyed,” he added.
Echoing Mahi, Salman Siddique, president of Socialist students’ front said, "Yes, there is a need to improve some aspects of TSC. We do not oppose modernization of TSC either. But authority have to be more sincere so that none of tradition and beauties get destroyed.”
But there are lots of problems including accommodation crisis authority should pay heed first, he said.
Read Construction work on Dhaka airport’s new terminal likely to begin in Dec
TSC at a glimpse
The TSC is an invaluable part of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage and among the modern architectural landmarks of the country.
The Greek legendary architect, planner and theoretician Constantinos Apostolos Doxiadis (1913-1975) designed TSC during the early 1960s and later the TSC building was built as part of the so-called Decade of Development (between 1958 and 1968) of the then Pakistani regime.
The structure exemplifies a modernist architectural sensitivity toward spatial needs for tropical climatic conditions. It blends local parameters of space-making -- particularly the indoor-outdoor continuum and generation of space around courtyards -- with international-style visual expression of building forms.
TSC's dome-shaped structure is considered an iconic landmark in Dhaka city. It has been home to countless students who show up between or after classes for a cup of tea with friends, and holds immense nostalgic value for them on top of being a historically significant site.
There were several attempts to renovate the structure earlier, but they were stopped subsequently. One of them was to demolish the swimming pool next to the TSC and build a nine-storey building. The initiative of renovation by keeping the original structure intact, however, did not see the light of day.
Read PM orders proper renovation of shabby rail bridges
Covid situation in Bangladesh unlikely to improve before June: Experts
Bangladesh is unlikely to see any improvement in the Covid-19 situation before June next as the country is still in the grip of its second wave, predicted by a group of local and international health experts.
Using a mathematical model, Bangladesh Como Modelling Group, a group of experts from both Bangladesh and Oxford University, also projected that the country will witness a similar infection rate intermittently till the end of May while the situation may improve in June.
However, some local experts think the virus is yet to reach its peak as it is spreading fast in newer areas alarmingly since many people had returned to their village homes from corona hotspots before the government enforced the lockdown.
Talking to UNB, Dr Abu Jamil Faisel, a member of Bangladesh Como modelling group, said: “We’ve a projection that the current uptrend in Covid deaths and cases will continue erratically until the end of May. The situation may improve in June.”
He said they think the country is going through the peak of the fresh wave of the virus. “As per our projection, there’ll be a month of plateau and the country will witness the similar infection rate for two more weeks and then it’ll start flattening.”
Faisel said they projected that the infection rate will not substantially fall till the end of May. “But we couldn’t clearly project the death rate as it often fluctuates, and it depends on hospital management and some other factors. But it’s my personal assumption that the total death toll may surpass 12,000 at the end of May month.”
He said they shared their projection with the government. “We’re going to update the projection as we’re working on it.”
Dr Faisel, also a member of the public health expert team for the eight divisions formed by the government, said they recommended taking a coordinated and effective plan to break the cycle of the corona transmission.
“Cent percent mask use must be ensured and the number of the daily tests must be increased so that the positive cases can be detected fast for putting them in isolation. We also need to focus on contact tracing,” Dr Faisel said.
Also read: No risk of contracting Covid-19 due to vaccination: DGHS
Besides, he said, they suggested setting up field hospitals for ensuring better patient management at the initial stage of infection. “There should be dedicated ambulances for carrying Covid patients to hospitals.”
Strengthening preventive measures
Meerjady Sabrina Flora, additional director general of the health directorate, said the peak of the virus depends on some factors. “If we can strictly maintain the preventive measures we’ve taken now, then we can expect to see a gradual fall in virus infection rate.”
She said the number of deaths is high but not the virus death rate. “As the infection number has increased, the number of deaths has also soared.”
Flora said the Coronavirus death rate was 1.53 before the fresh wave of the virus, but this has now come down to 1.43. “That means the number of deaths increased due to the rise in the number of infections.”
She said there is no alternative to controlling the transmission of the virus to lower the number of deaths. “We must strengthen our preventive measures to check the virus infections.”
Read Brac to launch antigen testing Saturday
Lockdown triggers blood shortage in Bangladesh
A week ago, a crisis hit the family of Shahed Alam's best friend -- there was no donor available to donate blood for his pal's cancer-stricken father. After unsuccessfully knocking the doors of blood banks across the city for two days, Shahed finally decided to harness the power of social media on Saturday, but to no avail.
"I have been trying hard to arrange blood for my friend's father -- a cancer patient admitted to Mohakhali Cancer Hospital -- since last week. But finding donors is turning out to be a Herculean task amid the nationwide lockdown. Due to strict movement restrictions and the fear of Covid, blood donors are just not stepping out of their homes," he told UNB.
Yes, the Covid-19 lockdown has severely affected the movements of donors across the country, triggering a massive shortage of blood. Most blood banks in the capital as well as other parts of Bangladesh are running short of life-saving blood.
"Blood donors are just reluctant to come out these days. And those who do are often subjected to grilling at police check posts across the city. This is because the Good Samaritans don't possess the mandatory movement passes, and convincing the sentry at a police check post is also a time-consuming affair," said another city resident.
Also read: PCR machine reaches RMCH for COVID-19 test
Bangladesh's annual demand for blood is around 8 lakh units. About 25% of the nation's annual blood requirement come from voluntary donation, 20–25% from paid donors, and 50–55% from one-time donation for a particular patient. But the country has seen a drastic fall in both voluntary and direct blood donations in recent weeks.
The decline in blood donations has triggered a chain reaction -- plasma collection has been hit hard. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that contains antibodies. Many countries have already allowed the use of plasma therapy to treat severely ill Covid patients. The therapy involves the use of plasma of recovered Covid patients as a potential treatment.
Dhaka airport goes to the dogs, literally!
The Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's security is in safe paws -- thanks to a pack of specially trained dogs that keeps a strict vigil on the country's busiest airport 24*7.
These energetic dogs -- mostly German Sheprador, a cross between the German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever dog breeds -- help the Airport Armed Police (AAP), which handles the airport security, in detecting smuggled drugs, firearms and explosives.
AAP set up its dog squad, called K-9, with just four dogs imported from the UK in 2017. The squad got more teeth with the entry of four imported dogs in 2018 and five more a year later. K9 is a homophone of 'canine', popularly used in English-speaking countries.
Also read: No compromise over airport security: State Minister
The primary duties of the K9 members include searching for drugs and explosives, finding crime scene evidence, and attacking people targeted by the police. The dogs are also trained to remember several verbal cues and hand gestures.
"Eight members of the dog squad, part of the first two batches, have already been given special training to use their senses to detect explosives to keep the airport safe," AAP's Additional Superintendent (Operations and Media) Alamgir Hossain Shimul told UNB.
Read Dhaka airport: Man held with 2,000-plus yaba tablets inside stomach
NBR faces uphill task in achieving VAT collection target
With just over 41% VAT collection target met in the first seven months of this fiscal year, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is mounting pressure on its field offices to boost the collection to shore up revenues amid the challenges posed by the pandemic.
It has asked the offices to attain the target keeping the present situation in mind and put emphasis on establishing intensive communication with the big companies.
In the 2020-21 fiscal budget, the total revenue collection from VAT wing was fixed at Tk 1,277.47 billion. But until January this year, the collection has been Tk 530.81 billion, which is only 41.55%.
No Smooth Sailing
The VAT collection target from the import level was Tk 455.54 billion. But till January of this year, the NBR has been able to collect Tk 196.59 billion. In January, the collection was Tk 29.52 billion.
In the first seven months of the last fiscal, the collection was Tk 178.14 billion while the collection in the month of January 2020 was Tk 26.76 billion.
It means the growth on a month-to-month basis is 10.32% while it is 10.35% considering the collection of the first seven months of the two fiscals.
On the other hand, the target for VAT collection from the local level was Tk 821.92 billion. But till January of this year, the NBR collected Tk 334.22 billion where in the month of January the amount was Tk 55.66 billion.
Also read: NBR to prioritize local industries in 2021-22 budget, says its chairman
Beggars passing days in increased hardship during lockdown
Kabir Ahmed Miazi, 65, was begging at Jatrabari area of the city amid the lockdown. He earned Tk80 from morning to afternoon on Friday. Earlier, he used to earn Tk300-500 on a normal day there. But the coronavirus hit his income hard as people didn’t go out due to the pandemic.
Not only beggars but also cobblers, hawkers, home servants and day labourers are being affected vastly owing to lockdown in the country.
Bangladesh government announced a lockdown from April 5-11 and extended it by one week up to April 20 due to increased COVID-19 infected cases in the country. Earlier, after the first coronavirus patient detection here on March 8, all education institutions were declared shut from March 17, 2020 in Bangladesh. The country went on general holiday from March 26 to May 30. However, the education institutions will be reopened on May 23, 2021.
Read Bangladesh braces for ‘another weeklong lockdown’
“I came to Dhaka from Chandpur in 2003. We lost all properties due to river erosion then. After coming into the city, I used to pull a rickshaw. But I am forced to beg after a sudden disease. I have been begging several years to survive with my family,” he added.
Kabir said the coronavirus hit his income hard as people don’t go out following the pandemic. “I have to take medicine regularly but I can’t purchase it properly due to financial crisis. I earned Tk300-Tk500 on a normal day but now I earn less than Tk100 following the Coronavirus,” he also added.
He shared that the government had provided relief for the poor last year but he could not get that. “People don’t give alms like prior to COVID-19 as their income came down. Lockdown has created an extra pressure for poor. We tense all times how we eat to survive if the lockdown continues. Besides, it costs Tk1500 as house rent in the Kajla area. Even the prices of daily essential prices are high,” he also said.
Also read: Coronavirus: ‘What option do you have when you’re hungry?’