Twelve mental health patients, three doctors and seven nurses have been infected with Covid-19 at Pabna Mental Hospital. 

The hospital authority sent them home to self-isolate to protect other people, Pabna Mental Hospital Clinical Assistant Dr Masud Rana Sarker confirmed this to UNB Sunday.

Also, the authority has made the Covid-19 negative certificate mandatory for new patients.

"At the start of July, a few admitted patients showed Covid-19 symptoms. They were then separated and taken to the hospital's isolation unit. On July 13, 12 of them tested Covid positive," Dr Masud said.

"We sent the Covid positive patients back home after receiving test results," he added. "We will take the next step after taking stock of the situation."

Around 500 patients with mental health disorders are undergoing treatment at Pabna Mental Hospital.