“Our testing capacity has increased and we’ve included private hospitals,” he said at a briefing held at his residence.
Bangladesh’s confirmed coronavirus cases soared to 8,231 on Friday as the health authorities announced detection of 571 new cases in the last 24 hours. So far, the country has recorded 170 deaths.
Bangladesh announced its first cases on March 8 and first death on March 18.
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Quader, also the transport minister, said the coronavirus pandemic has exposed the limitations of the health sector. “We’ve been overcoming our limitation through concerted efforts,” he said, adding that there is no alternative to unity at this crisis moment.
He expressed gratitude to the frontline fighters in the war against coronavirus.
Bangladesh Doctors Foundation (BDF) on Thursday said 475 doctors have so far been infected with coronavirus at both government and private hospitals. Of them, 316 are from government hospitals.
BDF said 343 doctors got infected in Dhaka division alone as of Thursday.
Quader said the government is considering safety of the doctors and medical staff on priority basis.
“We’ve no reason to lose hope since we have a courageous and honest leader like [Prime Minister] Sheikh Hasina. We shall overcome this situation working together,” the Awami League leader said.