The IEDCR’s briefing brought relief among the country’s people.
IEDCR Briefing
"Two of the three people infected with the coronavirus tested negative in a retest conducted on Tuesday. They’ll be discharged from the hospital soon,” IEDCR Director Prof Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora said.
While addressing a regular press briefing at the IEDCR, she also said another test will be done on the patients after 72 hours. "There’ll be another test after 72 hours in isolation. If the result is found negative, they’ll be declared free of coronavirus. However, they must follow guidelines of the World Health Organization," Dr Flora said.
The IEDCR director also said the condition of the third patient is also good but he has been found still positive. “He is also expected to make recovery soon," she added.
Dr Flora also said there is no need to shut down educational institutions as the situation is fully under control. "The coronavirus situation is fully under control. So, it’s not necessary to shut down schools, colleges or community centres. But as a precautionary measure, we’re urging people to avoid public gatherings," she said.
Dr Flora said no new coronavirus case was detected in the country in the last 24 hours.
"In the last 24 hours, IEDCR received a total of 3,225 calls, of which 3,145 were corona-related. Also, in the last 24 hours, 10 people were tested but no-one of them was found infected with the virus," she said.
The IEDCR chief said a total of 142 people have so far been tested for coronavirus.
She mentioned that IEDCR has opened a dedicated hotline out of total 12 for coronavirus. The new hotline number is 0194433322.
"Free calls can be made to this number from mobile phone operator Banglalink. However, IEDCR is working to make calls from other operators toll-free," she added.
District-wise updates
In Manikganj, a total 79 people, who have returned from abroad including Italy and China, were kept in home quarantine in last two days.
In Kishoreganj, a total 39 people who have recently returned from abroad, have been kept in home quarantine, said Doctor Md Mujibur Rahman, civil surgeon of the district adding that of them, 37 people in Bhairab, one in Nikli and one in Sadar.
Besides, district administration has formed a committee in Bhairab upazila on this regard which is monitoring the quarantined individuals.
Besides, a 50-bed isolation unit has been kept ready.
In Feni, ten people, who recently returned from Italy, Kuwait and China, have been kept in home quarantine, said Md Sajjad Hossain, civil surgeon of Feni.
In Bogura, five returnees from Italy and China have been kept in home quarantine, said deputy civil surgeon Doctor Mustafizur Rahman.
In Meherpur, a young man, who returned from Saudi Arabia four days ago, has been referred to Dhaka following fever and cold related issues.
In Faridpur, three brothers who have been returned from Italy recently, have been kept in home quarantine, said civil surgeon Md Siddiqur Rahman.
However, there were no symptoms of coronavirus among the home quarantined people.
They have been kept in quarantine to prevent any possibility of spread of coronavirus.
The death toll from the coronavirus or Covid-19 has reached 4,379 globally till Wednesday evening.
Global situation
It has infected 121,487 people around the world, according to Worldometer, which keeps track of important, shifting numbers.
Of them, 50,193 are currently infected while 71,294 patients (94 percent of total infected) have recovered.
The coronavirus has spread to 120 countries and territories around the world and one international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan).
Postponed Programmes
With ‘social distancing’ prescribed by WHO as one of measures to fight the virus, an increasing number of events scheduled earlier are being postponed. The Inter-college sports and Cultural Week-2020, scheduled to begin from March 18, has been suspended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Besides, the proposed two-match T20I series between World XI and Asia XI to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation, has been postponed as a precautionary step to avoid possible damage due to coronavirus (COVID-19). The series was scheduled to take place on March 21 and 22.
Besides, the Rajshahi University authority postponed all types of programmes. The decision was taken in a meeting of Mujib Borsho Celebration Committee of the university held on Wednesday morning.
Government alert
Government on Wednesday requested all print and electronic media not to publish any false and ‘spiced up’ news on coronavirus, and to give special importance to updates from IEDCR and concerned specialists’ opinions.
Bangladesh reported three coronavirus cases earlier this week. IEDCR said two of them are recovering.