A group of frontline workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic are continuing their protest outside the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), urging the authorities to extend their employment contracts beyond December. The demonstration, which began on November 17, shows no signs of abating as workers call for a clear resolution from authorities. Protesters allege that they are being discarded now that the crisis has subsided, despite their critical role in combating the pandemic. Jahangir Alam, a representative of the DGHS control room and one of the protesters, expressed frustration over the lack of support from authorities. "Our demands are not being accepted. The authorities are directing us to the Ministry, but they are not providing any clear path for us to get there. Without their assistance, we won’t be able to approach the Ministry. Our protest will continue until our demands are met," he said. Dr. Shahriar Mohammad Haque, a junior consultant in anesthesiology and ICU at Munshiganj Sadar Hospital, highlighted the workers’ plight. "Many of us served tirelessly in hospitals during the COVID-19 project. If we are all fired, what will we do? They extended our work period repeatedly during the crisis, but now, when the pandemic is over, they are discarding us," he said. The protesters are calling for recognition of their contributions and permanent positions within the health sector. Standing united, protesters held signs emblazoned with messages such as "Our demands must be met" while chanting slogans urging authorities to acknowledge their grievances.

Telemedicine service was stopped at Lalpur Upazila Health Complex as a health worker tested positive for coronavirus on Monday night.   District Directorate General of Health Services on Monday night confirmed that a health worker of the telemedicine department was infected with coronavirus.   Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ummul Banin Duti said she visited the Upazila Health Complex on Monday night and shut the telemedicine department temporarily.   The infected health worker was sent to institutional health quarantine while samples were collected from the other health workers.   So far, ten people including a doctor and three health workers  were infected in the district.   Altogether 565 physicians, excluding nurses and health workers, got infected with coronavirus while treating patients as of Monday, said Bangladesh Doctors Foundation (BDF), a forum of physicians.   Bangladesh has recorded 10,143 coronavirus cases and 182 deaths as of Monday.   Meanwhile, the country reported its highest daily new coronavirus cases on Monday with the detection of 688 patients.

A physician and a health worker, were infected with coronavirus in the district.   Dr Himangshu Lal Roy, assistant director of Osmani Medical College Hospital, said 13 people were tested positive under Sylhet division on Wednesday. Of them, an intern doctor of the Osmani Medical College and Hospital and a medical staff of Shaheed Shamsuddin Ahmed Hospital were found detected with the virus in the district, he said.   The reports of 134 people were found on Wednesday and of them 13 tested positive. Four people reported positive from Sunamganj, five from Habiganj and two from Moulvibazar districts, he said.

A health worker tested positive for coronavirus at Mujgunni village in Manirampur upazila on Sunday.   Ahsan Ullah Sharifi, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Manirampur upazila, said the health worker, a resident of Jhapa union,  tested positive for coronavirus and his house was put under lockdown on Sunday.   Dr Shuvra Rani Debnath, upazila health and family planning officer, said the staff  was taken to the civil Surgeon office by an ambulance for taking  decision about his treatment.   Besides, Civil Surgeon of Jashore district Sheikh Abu Shaheen, said samples of 101 people were sent to the Khulna Medical College and Hospital for test. The reports of some people were received today where the health worker tested positive, he said.