"In the past 24 hours, IEDCR and BITID in Chattogram tested 109 samples. No-one of them was positive," IEDCR Director Prof Meerjady Sabrina Flora said at an online press briefing.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque also joined the briefing and answered questions from journalists.

The minister assured that he is not affected with the virus and not quarantined either. "I’m not infected with coronavirus. I also underwent the Covid-19 test. I was found not infected with this virus...I’m not at home quarantine, just staying indoors like everybody else," he said.

Zahid Maleque also claimed that coronavirus situation in the country is stable. "We prepared ourselves long ago to prevent coronavirus. So, Bangladesh is in good condition now."  

The minister further said official leaves might be extended depending on the situation.

UNB Photo

The Health Minister said, “Our leave ends on April 4. We, including the Prime Minister, will observe whether the situation in our country and the world becomes fairly tolerant within these 10 days. Then, we’ll advise the Prime Minister to act on the situation."

The minister expressed satisfaction as the number of infected people did not increase.

“It’s a matter of great pleasure indeed to know that no new patient was infected yesterday. Even today we haven’t received any news of any new patient or death. It’s a great joy for the people of our country," he said.

About the testing facility of the coronavirus infection, the minister said it is not possible to test the entire population and those who have the symptoms of the disease are being tested.

"There’re 16 crore people in our country...It’s not possible to test so many people. This is not possible in countries like the USA and not even in the countries of Europe. Only those who’ve symptoms are being tested. That's how we're working," he said.

Referring to the initiative of Akij Group, the minister said people need to be more tolerant.

"We’ll use the hospital that the Akij Group wants to build if necessary. If not, we won't. But this is a good initiative. We’ll keep those with mild symptoms in the hospital, if necessary. In this case, people have to be tolerant," he said.

He also urged everyone to stop spreading misinformation and there are sufficient ventilators in stock.

"Many say we’ve just 29 ventilators. That’s not correct. We still have around 500 ventilators…. 300 more are coming. I think no news should be served to confuse people. Now our job is to work together for everyone. That's what we're doing now. Because, we’ve the whole country with us. My advice would be to follow the rules given by the Department of Health.

Also read:No new coronavirus case reported in 24 hrs in Bangladesh: IEDCR

The Health Minister said the government was prepared for the outbreak.

"The government has been preparing since January last. Scanning has been tightened at airports since the first week of January. But it’s not in the hands of the Health Ministry to reduce flights or prevent the arrival of foreigners! The Ministry of Health doesn’t have the authority to stop them from coming. The Ministry of Health can provide medical care only," he said.

The minister said there is no crisis of PPE in the country. "The Ministry of Health will distribute the PPE to those who need it urgently. Private hospital authorities will provide the PPE through their initiative," he added.

The minister said 3 lakh personal protective equipment (PPE) have already been distributed among physicians across the country for their safety.

Besides, many PPE are being provided at personal initiatives, he said.

He further said the government has enough test kits in stock and more are coming. "There’re 45,000 kits in stock and 85,000 more will come. Coronavirus will be tested from 11 places," he added.