“The blood sample of the sick person was collected and sent for test. But we’re yet to receive the report,” said Prof Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), on Monday.
A total of 312 Bangladeshi citizens were brought back from China’s Wuhan, the epicentre of the new coronavirus outbreak, on Saturday while the government is set to bring back 171 more upon clearance from the Chinese authorities.
Also read: 171 more Bangladeshis in China to be brought back: Cabinet Secretary
Seven of the returnees had been admitted to Kurmitola General Hospital with fever while another to the Combined Military Hospital upon their return from China. The remaining 304 are at the quarantine unit at Ashkona Hajj Camp.
The IEDCR director said no-one of those hospitalised earlier was found to be infected with coronavirus after testing their blood samples, and they are now doing well.
The remaining 303 Bangladeshis at the quarantine unit were provided with Wi-Fi connections for communications with their families, she added.
Dr Flora also said anyone can talk to them over mobile phone or internet.
However, relatives cannot meet them directly for now, she said, adding that IEDCR representatives are taking care of everything, including food, water and other necessary things, and observing them closely.
Meanwhile, IEDCR has opened four hotline numbers for creating awareness among people about novel coronavirus.
Also read: Coronavirus outbreak: IEDCR launches 4 hotline numbers
The hotline numbers are: 01937110011, 01937000011, 01927711784 and 01927711785.
The coronavirus, which spread from China’s Wuhan, has killed 361 people and infected over 17,300 globally as of Monday, reports AP.