coronavirus situation
Indians turn to black market, unproven drugs as virus surges
Ashish Poddar kept an ice pack on hand as he waited outside a New Delhi hospital for a black market dealer to deliver two drugs for his father, who was gasping for breath inside with COVID-19.
But the drugs never arrived, the ice that was intended to keep the medicines cool melted and his father died hours later.
As India faces a devastating surge of new coronavirus infections overwhelming its health care system, people are taking desperate measures to try to keep loved ones alive. In some cases they are turning to unproven medical treatments, in others to the black market for life-saving medications that are in short supply.
Poddar had been told by the private hospital treating his father, Raj Kumar Poddar, that remdesivir, an antiviral, and tocilizumab, a drug that blunts human immune responses, were needed to keep the 68-year-old man alive.
“It’s nearby” and “coming” read some of the texts that Ashish received as he waited.
“I wish he had at least told me that he isn’t going to come. I could have searched elsewhere,” the grieving son said.
India set another global record in new virus cases Thursday with more than 379,000 new infections, putting even more pressure on the country’s overwhelmed hospitals. The country of nearly 1.4 billion people has now recorded over 18 million cases, behind only the U.S., and over 200,000 deaths — though the true number is believed to be higher.
Death is so omnipresent that burial grounds are running out of space in many cities and glowing funeral pyres blaze through the night.
The few medicines known to help treat COVID-19, such as remdesivir and steroids in hospitalized patients, are scarce. The most basic treatment —oxygen therapy — is also in short supply, leading to unnecessary deaths. Even hospital beds are scarce. There were just 14 free intensive care beds available in New Delhi, a city of 29 million people, on Thursday morning.
India’s latest treatment guidelines mirror those of the World Health Organization and the United States with a key exception: India allows mildly ill patients to be given hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin, drugs used for certain tropical diseases.
There is little evidence they work against COVID-19, and the WHO strongly recommends against hydroxychloroquine’s use for COVID-19 of any severity and against using ivermectin except in studies.
While India is a leading producer of medicine globally, its regulation of drugs was poor even before the pandemic. And mounting despair is driving people to try anything.
Dr. Amar Jesani, a medical ethics expert, said many prescription drugs can be bought over the counter, including emergency drugs greenlit by Indian authorities for COVID-19.
“Hospitals and doctors are so used to having a ‘magic bullet’ that will cure you,” he said, explaining the use of unproven drugs as COVID-19 cases skyrocket.
When Suman Shrivastava, 57, was infected with the virus, her doctor in Kanpur city in Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state, prescribed ivermectin. When her symptoms worsened, her doctor then asked her to take favipiravir, an antiviral, though it is unproven against COVID-19.
Her nephew, Rajat Shrivastava, said that drug was hard to find but he eventually located it in a pharmacy which was rationing its supplies by giving a single strip daily to each patient. He eventually bought extra doses from an online volunteer on Twitter and now his aunt is doing well.
Dr. Anant Bhan, who researches public health and ethics in the city of Bhopal, warns there are risks in the do-it-yourself approach. Bhan said antivirals and steroids should be taken in a hospital setting due to the risk of side effects. And drugs that are life-saving at one point could be harmful at another, depending on timing and how severe the symptoms are.
“It’s scary because these aren’t vitamin pills,” he said.
Black market prices for remdesivir, which is produced by several Indian companies, have increased up to 20-fold to about $1,000 for a single vial, said Siddhant Sarang, a volunteer with Yuva Halla Bol, a youth activist group which is helping patients find medicines and hospital beds.
In September, federal data showed that Indian drug makers had made over 2.4 million vials of the drug. But when cases dipped in September, companies destroyed much of their expired stock and production declined.
India was then slow to respond to the uptick of infections in February, and production was only scaled up in March. Earlier this week, Merck announced a deal with five makers of generic drugs in India to produce molnupiravir, an experimental antiviral similar to remdesivir, which is given by IV, but in a more convenient pill form. It’s unclear when that might become available.
With demand high, black market dealers are insisting on cash upfront, said Sarang.
“People are going to dealers with 200,000 to 300,000 rupees ($2,700-$4,000) in a suitcase,” he said.
Authorities have started cracking down on the dealers. In New Delhi, for instance, raids are being carried out on shops or people suspected of hoarding oxygen cylinders and medicines.
Despite all the desperate efforts, medicines that work remain unavailable to many.
Virus-blocking antibody drugs, widely used elsewhere, aren’t yet authorized in India. Roche, which works with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals on marketing one such treatment, said Wednesday it is negotiating with India to speed up emergency use. American drug maker Eli Lilly, which makes a similar treatment, said it is in discussions with the Indian government.
Stuti Bhardwaj, 37, went from one pharmacy to another in southern New Delhi this week. Her parents, both in their seventies, were not able to get tests but showed symptoms of COVID-19 and had dangerously low oxygen levels. A doctor advised a host of medications, including hydroxychloroquine.
She eventually found it and bought it, aware it was unlikely to work.
“My parents are dying,” Bhardwaj said. “I am desperate.”
10-member medical board formed for Khaleda's treatment
A 10-member medical board was formed on Wednesday for the treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda at Evercare Hospital in the capital.
She was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday night.
“A 10-member medical board with seven physicians from Evercare Hospital and three others from her medical team, including Dr FM Siddiqui, me, and Dr Al Mamun, was formed today (Wednesday),” said Khaleda’s personal medical team member and BNP vice-chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, he said the medical board reviewed the reports of her tests that have so far been conducted.
“They also recommended conducting some more tests,” Zahid added.
He said the medical board also added some new drugs to the prescription that the BNP chief was following during her treatment at her residence for Covid infection and other complications. “Alhamdulillah, she (Khaleda) is now doing well.”
Zahid said some of the tests suggested by the medical board will be done on Wednesday while the rest on Thursday. “On completion of the tests, the overall treatment plan for Madam (Khaleda) will be made after reviewing all the reports.”
The medical board was formed headed by Evercare Hospital’s Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.
Also read: Khaleda hospitalised for thorough health checkup
Zahid, also one of the members of the 10-member medical board, said they are very hopeful about taking the BNP chief back to her residence soon. “But we could not say the specific time or make any prediction about her release before reviewing her all reports.”
He urged the country’s people, including BNP leaders and activists, to pray for the quick recovery of 76-year-old Khaleda.
The physician said alongside a fresh CT scan, the BNP chief underwent some other tests, including ECG and Echo on Tuesday night
“We found minimum infections in her lungs in the first report of the CT scan. But her fresh CT scan conducted yesterday (Tuesday) suggests she has no infection in her lungs. No cardiac problem has also been detected in her test report. “It’s a good sign,” he added.
Khaleda staying at non-corona unit
Zahid said the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at a non-corona unit of the Evercare Hospital as she has no Covid symptom.
"As per the international medical rules, if a patient does not have any symptoms after two weeks, then there is no need to do a corona test, and we can assume that there is no chance of spreading corona infection by her.”
Also read: Benign Covid infection hasn't left Khaleda yet
He said Khaleda has long been suffering from some health complications, including arthritis, diabetes and eye problems.
Zahid said the BNP chief needs modern treatment at an advanced centre for her underlying health conditions.
He said Khaleda’s family members long ago sought permission from the government for taking her aboard for treatment.
Asked whether the fresh tests are being done to create a ground for sending her abroad, Zahid replied in the negative, saying her health checkup is necessary based on reality.
He said the BNP chief could not go through some necessary tests for over a year as he could not go to any hospital. “There’re some post-Covid complications that may flare up later. Considering all these things, we think she needs these tests.”
On Tuesday midnight, Khaleda, infected with coronavirus, was admitted to the Evercare Hospital temporarily for her thorough health checkup.
Doctors said her fresh CT scan report conducted on Tuesday suggests that she made a good recovery from Covid as she has no symptom of the virus.
Earlier on April 14, Khaleda was taken to the Evercare Hospital for the CT scan and later doctors said a very nominal infection was found in her lungs.
Also read: Khaleda Zia infected with Covid-19
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 test on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus.
She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 24 and her report was positive.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
She was released from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) the same day, and she has been staying at her Gulshan house since then.
On August 27 last year, the government extended her release for six more months and it was extended again for six months on March 15 last.
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term.
Khaleda was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both the cases are politically motivated.
Extended lockdown: 10am to 1 pm banking hours to continue
Bangladesh Bank has further extended the currently maintained limited banking transaction hours until May 5 in compliance with the government’s decision to extend the strict lockdown for one week more.
According to a Bangladesh Bank circular, issued on Wednesday, the current banking transactions hours from 10 am to 1 pm will continue till May 5 in accordance with the Cabinet Division’s memo on this matter.
Earlier, Bangladesh Bank in a circular on April 13 said, instructed the banks to operate general transactions from 10 am to 1 pm and keep open until 2:30 pm for necessary works every working day until April 21 and then it was extended until April 28.
Normally, banks operate from 10 am to 4 pm everyday.
Also read: Bangladesh extends lockdown until May 5
The new circular also said that all other instructions will remain unchanged as per the circular of April 13 where it was said that banks can keep one non-AD branch open within 2 km radius in the city corporation areas and in upazila level one branch of each bank can open on Thursday, Sunday and Tuesday.
The banks have to take measures to provide transport facilities for the staff during the period.
The BB circular also said, during the banking transaction hours, the banks have to ensure different kinds of services including clearing of cheques, withdrawal and deposits of money, money transfer, release of remittance, encashment of different instruments and also receipt of the payments of bills of different utilities.
BB said banks have to continue services like disbursement of loans, incentives, payment of salaries of different industries and also the purchase of export bills, loan sanction and distribution.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 77 deaths, new cases 2,955
The banks have to follow instructions in keeping the branches located in the port areas about the coronavirus in discussion with the local administration and other authorities, as per circular issued on August 5 last year, it said.
The banks have to operate their activities through limited staffs under a roster system.
They have to ensure operation of the ATM booths to facilitate transaction through cards by supply of adequate cash in the machines while the evening banking and weekly holiday banking activities will remain closed until further order, said the circular, said the circular issued on April 13.
Khaleda hospitalised for thorough health checkup
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, infected with coronavirus, was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the city on Wednesday midnight for a brief period for her thorough health checkup, said her personal medical team head Dr FM Siddiqui.
He, however, said Khaleda’s fresh CT scan report suggests that she made a good recovery from Covid-19.
FM Siddiqui said they could not conduct many regular tests of Khaleda for over a year due to the pandemic.
“Since Madam (Khaleda) returned to her residence from BSMMU (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University), she has been kept almost in isolation due to the coronavirus outbreak, and we couldn’t do many necessary tests of her. As she has now almost recovered from Covid, we kept her here to conduct her CT scan and thorough health checkup.”
Also read: Benign Covid infection hasn't left Khaleda yet
“She underwent some tests, including the CT scan, today but many other tests couldn’t be done yet as facilities for those aren’t available at the hospital at night. She’ll undergo many other tests on Thursday. As it’s troublesome for her to come to the hospital and return home repeatedly, we got her admitted to the hospital temporarily,” the physician said.
On completion of all the tests, he said, they will review the reports and make a decision about her release from the hospital.
FM Siddiqui said they received her fresh report of the chest’s CT scan and it is much clearer than the previous one. “It suggests that she has made a good recovery from Covid.”
He said the BNP chief may have to stay at the hospital for maximum one or two days. “We’ll take a decision about it reviewing all her reports.”
Also read: Khaleda Zia infected with Covid-19
The physician also said Khaleda now has no symptom of the coronavirus.
The BNP chief was taken to Evercare Hospital in the city’s Bashundhara area around 10pm.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and joint secretary general Mahbubuddin Khokon and Khaleda’s medical team members met her at her house around 8:30pm.
On April 14, Khaleda was taken to the Evercare Hospital for the CT scan, and later doctors said very nominal infections were found in her lungs.
Khaleda Zia tested positive for Covid-19 test on April 10 as eight people at her residence were infected with the virus. She underwent the second Covid-19 test on April 14 and the report was positive.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
She was released from the prison cell of BSMMU the same day, and she has been staying at her Gulshan house since then.
Also read: Nine infected with coronavirus at BNP chief Khaleda’s house
On August 27 last year, the government extended her release for six more months and it was extended again for six months on March 15 last.
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term.
Khaleda was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both the cases are politically motivated.
As lockdown eases, people find their way around restrictions
Although the government in a fresh move extended the ongoing lockdown period from April 28 to May 5, the gradual easing of the lockdown conditions has been accompanied by people in the capital becoming more inclined to move about.
A rapid increase in Covid infections prompted the government to enforce a lockdown from early April which failed to achieve the intended result.
Later, the government went for a strict lockdown from April 11 and extended it to April 28.
Also read: Lockdown to be extended up to May 5: State Minister
On Monday, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said the lockdown would be extended till May 5 as there is no improvement of the Covid-19 situation.
However, shopping malls opened this week and will remain open from 10am to 8pm during the extended period, he said.
Parts of Dhaka presented the old picture of congestion and chaos on Tuesday, even as the country reported 78 more coronavirus-related deaths and 3,031 new cases of Covid-19.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 78 deaths, 3,031 new cases
A UNB photojournalist captured the scenes around the busy Gulistan area on the day.
Strictly maintain health rules during shopping: IGP
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Tuesday urged everyone to wear masks and strictly follow other hygiene rules during Eid shopping to stay safe from coronavirus.
The IGP made the call at a views-exchange meeting on “What to do to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection” with the leaders of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association in the afternoon.
All police commissioners, range DIGs and district police superintendents were connected online to the meeting held at the Police Headquarters.
Also read: Follow lockdown restrictions: IGP to people
IGP Benazir said both shopkeepers and buyers must wear masks when shopping. Hand sanitiser or hand washing facilities have to be kept at the entrance of the shop or shopping mall.
Besides, body temperature must be checked when entering the shopping mall. Social distancing must be ensured at shops, he said.
The IGP requested traders, shop owners and people to properly follow health guidelines.
"If we abide by the government rules and regulations, the coronavirus infection will be reduced and the death rate will also decline,” he added.
Also read: Motivate people to follow govt’s covid guidelines: IGP to police
Md Helal Uddin, president of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, told the meeting that they have set up hand washing or sanitising facilities in front of each market. Face masks have been made mandatory. Disinfectant tunnels have been installed at big shopping malls.
He said traders across the country are very vocal and vigilant in ensuring health protection against the virus.
Additional IG (A&O) Md Moinur Rahman Chowdhury, Additional IG (Finance) SM Ruhul Amin, Additional IG (HRM) Md Mazharul Islam, DMP Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam along with senior police officers and leaders of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association were present.
CDC says many Americans can now go outside without a mask
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased its guidelines Tuesday on the wearing of masks outdoors, saying fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to cover their faces anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers.
And those who are unvaccinated can go outside without masks in some cases, too.
The new guidance represents another carefully calibrated step on the road back to normal from the coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 570,000 people in U.S.
For most of the past year, the CDC had been advising Americans to wear masks outdoors if they are within 6 feet of each other.
The change comes as more than half of U.S. adults have gotten at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, and more than a third have been fully vaccinated.
“It’s the return of freedom,” said Dr. Mike Saag, an infectious disease expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who welcomed the change. “It’s the return of us being able to do normal activities again. We’re not there yet, but we’re on the exit ramp. And that’s a beautiful thing.”
Also read: Around 6,000 Americans contracted Covid after being fully vaccinated, 74 died: CDC
More people need to be vaccinated, and concerns persist about variants and other possible shifts in the epidemic. But Saag said the new guidance is a sensible reward following the development and distribution of effective vaccines and about 140 million Americans stepping forward to get their shots.
The CDC, which has been cautious in its guidance during the crisis, essentially endorsed what many Americans have already been doing over the past several weeks.
The CDC says that fully vaccinated or not, people do not have to wear masks outdoors when they walk, bike or run alone or with members of their household. They can also go maskless in small outdoor gatherings with fully vaccinated people.
But from there, the CDC has differing guidance for people who are fully vaccinated and those who are not.
Unvaccinated people — defined by the CDC as those who have yet to receive both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson formula — should wear masks at outdoor gatherings that include other unvaccinated people. They also should keep using masks at outdoor restaurants.
Fully vaccinated people do not need to cover up in those situations, the CDC says.
Also read: Fully vaccinated people can travel safely again, CDC says
However, everyone should keep wearing masks at crowded outdoor events such as concerts or sporting events, the CDC says.
And the agency continues to recommend masks at indoor public places, such as hair salons, restaurants, shopping centers, museums and movie theaters.
Dr. Babak Javid, a physician-scientist at the University of California, San Francisco, said the new CDC guidance is sensible.
“In the vast majority of outdoor scenarios, transmission risk is low,” Javid said.
Javid has favored outdoor mask-wearing requirements because he believes they increase indoor mask-wearing, but he said Americans can understand the relative risks and make good decisions.
“The key thing is to make sure people wear masks indoors” while in public spaces, he said.
He added: “I’m looking forward to mask-free existence.”
“The timing is right because we now have a fair amount of data about the scenarios where transmission occurs,” said Mercedes Carnethon, a professor and vice chair of preventive medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
What’s more, she said, “the additional freedoms may serve as a motivator” for people to get vaccinated.
Lockdown climbdown: 10am-9pm for shopping confirmed
Shops and shopping malls will be allowed to remain open from 10am to 9pm instead of earlier-announced 5pm amid the lockdown enforced by the government to contain the transmission of Covid-19.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Shariful Islam confirmed the matter.
Earlier on April 23, Cabinet Division issued a notice permitting shops and malls to reopen from April 25 maintaining proper safety protocols.
Also read: Pandemic in Bangladesh: Shops, malls reopen doors
The second phase of lockdown started on April 22 and is supposed to continue until April 28.
Earlier on April 5, public transports, shops and shopping malls were directed to remain shut in capital Dhaka as the country started a 7-day lockdown.
Talking to UNB, local and international health experts, however, predicted Bangladesh is unlikely to see any improvement in the Covid-19 situation before June next as the country is still in the grip of its second wave.
Also read: 'Strict’ lockdown again if health rules violated: Quader
Using a mathematical model, Bangladesh Como Modelling Group, a group of experts from both Bangladesh and Oxford University, also projected that the country will witness the similar infection rate intermittently till the end of May while the situation may improve in June.
Meanwhile, after a slight fall for several days, Bangladesh’s daily coronavirus death toll crossed the 100-mark again on Sunday with a sharp fall in new cases.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Daily deaths shoot past 100; new cases fall dramatically
Fatalities climbed to 11,053 with 101 deaths in the past 24 hours until the morning. The virus also infected 2,922 people, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout.
Bangladesh has so far confirmed 745,322 coronavirus cases.
Shutting border with India: Experts praise it as prudent decision
Experts have highly appreciated the government for its move to shut the border with India for the next 14 days as they think that the border control is now crucial to block the highly infectious virus variants that have emerged in the neighbouring country.
They warned that Bangladesh may face the similar catastrophic Covid crisis like in India if the 'triple mutant variant or 'Bengal strain' spread to Bangladesh by any means as it is reportedly more infectious than any other strain in the world.
The experts said the government should now put the BGB members on high alert so that no one can enter Bangladesh from India until the situation improves in West Bengal and other bordering states.
Earlier in the day, the government announced to shut borders with India for any kind of movement except that of cargoes for the next 14 days from Monday to control the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. The decision will become effective from 6 am on Monday.
India on Sunday reported a record daily rise of 349,691 new coronavirus infections and became the first country in the world to add over 3 lakh cases to its tally for four consecutive days. West Bengal is one of the worst-hit states due to the emergence of a triple mutant strain.
Also read: Border with India to remain shut for 14 days: FM
A total of 2,767 people were reported dead on Sunday, according to the Indian health ministry data, taking the total coronavirus fatalities to 192,311.
Remaining on high alert
Prof Dr Muzaherul Huq, former regional adviser of the World Health Organization, South East Asia Region, said the deteriorating Covid situation in India is a matter of serious concerns for Bangladesh.
He said the government has taken the right decision to close the border with India. “We should also keep suspending rail, water and air connectivity with India until the situation becomes normal there.”
Public health expert MH Chowdhury (Lenin), chairman of the medicine department at the Health and Hope Hospital, said the coronavirus spreads between people, mainly when an infected person comes in close contact with another.
“This virus has shown that it knows no boundaries and respects no borders. So, when the virus transmission is exploding alarmingly in our neighbouring country through double and 'triple mutant variants’, it was necessary for us to remain alert and take effective steps to avert a catastrophic situation. We hope the government’s decision of shutting the border with India can help contain the spread of deadly virus strains now prevailing in the neighbouring country,” he said.
Also read: India's COVID-19 tally nearing 17 mln
The expert said the government should now put the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) on the highest alert so that no one can trespass the border.
Eminent virologist Prof Nazrul Islam, a member of the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19, said their panel suggested the government ensuring a 14-day institutional quarantine for all those who will enter Bangladesh from India instead of completely closing the border.
“As the government has decided to shut the borders, we hope the government will take necessary steps to implement its decision,” he said.
Doing genome sequencing
Dr Lenin said the government should give focus on regular genome sequencing study to detect whether the double and 'triple mutant variant' of Covid-19 has a prevalence in Bangladesh and know the changes in the nature of the virus.
He said wearing masks is the main protective weapon against any variant, be it double or 'triple mutant one. “So, we must encourage and force our people to wear masks by taking various steps, including forming monitoring teams in every locality and enforcing the law.
Also read: India's crematoriums overwhelmed as virus 'swallows people'
Lenin said the second wave of the virus came due to a relaxed attitude, lack of awareness and effective control measures. “We’ll also witness the third wave if we become reckless again.”
Preparing to face the worst
Despite taking all the preventive measures, Dr Lenin said, the 'triple mutant variant' can travel to Bangladesh. “So, we need to take preparations in advance for ensuring adequate oxygen supply to hospitals and increase beds and ensure all other necessary equipment to tackle any possible worst situation in the days to come.”
He said the government should also form mobile medical teams and take preparations for installing field hospitals to ensure proper healthcare if the country experiences a further surge in the virus infection like India.
The expert said it seems the virus transmission in the country has decreased due to the lockdown. “So, we should work out some strategies to come out from the lockdown in phases. If we suddenly ease the lockdown and reopen everything without any strategy and preventive measures, the situation may deteriorate further.”
No alternative to vaccination
Dr Muzaherul said the government has no alternative to ensuring 25 crore vaccine jabs for 12.5 crore people to achieve herd immunity and thus get rid of the virus.
Also read: Bangladesh to get 21 lakh Covid vaccine doses by early May: DGHS
He said the government should intensify its efforts to get vaccine/s from different sources instead of depending on one country.
Dr Muzaherul said though the virus transmission rate has been showing a declining trend, there is no room for complacency as it may increase anytime for lack of proper preventive measures.
He said the government lacks a comprehensive plan and strategy to control the virus outbreak.
“For lack of such a strategy, we’re enforcing lockdowns, but cannot implement the restrictions. We’re also reopening everything before the virus infection comes under control. These are not scientific decisions. Without having a right strategy in place, it may not be possible to contain such a highly contagious virus,” Muzaherul observed.
Read Virus ‘swallowing’ people in India; crematoriums overwhelmed
Border with India to remain shut for 14 days: FM
Bangladesh has decided to close its border with India for any kind of movement except that of cargoes for the next 14 days from Monday (April 26, 2021) to control the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
"Yes, but the movement of cargoes carrying goods will continue," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB over the phone on Sunday.
The decision taken against the backdrop of the worsening covid-19 situation will become effective from 6am on Monday.
As per the decision, general movements of humans between Bangladesh and India will temporarily stay suspended through the land ports.
The Bangladeshi citizens currently travelling to India for treatment and having visas with validity for less than 15 days could enter Bangladesh through only Benapole, Akhaura and Burimari after taking permission from Bangladesh Missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala and with a mandatory Covid-negative certificate done through PCR test within seventy-two hours of entry.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: Daily deaths shoot past 100; new cases fall dramatically
People entering Bangladesh through this process would have to stay officially quarantined for two weeks.
Except for the aforementioned three land ports, all kinds of human movements through all other land ports between the two countries would completely stay suspended for two weeks.
The vehicles carrying imported goods from India would have to be properly sterilised before entering Bangladesh borders.
The drivers and helpers concerned would have to observe the Covid-19 safety protocol strictly.
Railroads will be encouraged for export and import of goods between the two countries in this period.
Also read: Shutting border with India: Experts praise it as prudent decision
Bangladesh Missions in New Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala would convey the relevant information in this regard to the authorities concerned in India in the light of the friendly relations between the two countries.
The above decisions will be in effect for two weeks and will be revised in due time, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The decisions have been taken in an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by the Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen and attended by High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India; Secretary, Security Services Division, Ministry of Home Affairs; Secretary (East), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Additional Secretary, Cabinet Division; and representatives of PMO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Commerce, BGB and Bangladesh Missions in Kolkata and Agartala.
Bangladesh is operating special flights to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Singapore to facilitate departure of expatriate workers to those countries.
India’s crematoriums and burial grounds are being overwhelmed by the devastating new surge of infections tearing through the populous country with terrifying speed, depleting the supply of life-saving oxygen to critical levels and leaving patients to die while waiting in line to see doctors, reports AP from New Delhi.
Also read: India's COVID-19 tally nearing 17 mln
For the fourth straight day, India on Sunday set a global daily record for new infections, spurred by an insidious, new variant that emerged here, undermining the government’s premature claims of victory over the pandemic.
The 349,691 confirmed cases over the past day brought India’s total to more than 16.9 million, behind only the United States.
The Indian Health Ministry reported another 2,767 deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing India’s Covid-19 fatalities to 192,311.
Experts say that toll could be a huge undercount, as suspected cases are not included, and many deaths from the infection are being attributed to underlying conditions, according to AP.