66 Chinese citizens suffering from Covid-19 in Khulna power plant 

Sixty-six Chinese nationals – employed at a power plant in Khalishpur of Khulna city – are currently suffering from Covid-19. 

Another 19 Chinese employees also had contracted the novel coronavirus but later tested negative. 

Some 185 Chinese citizens work at the 330-MW dual fuel combined cycle power plant. 

Of them, 97 got themselves tested for Covid-19 on 18 may and results of 42 among them came out positive. The rest of the cases cases were detected earlier. 

It is learned that the number of local workers in the power plant is from between 500 and 600. In addition, around 200 workers enter the project area every day to work on a temporary basis. After work, they regularly return home at night.

The fresh cases posed infection risk for all the employees. Adding more to the woes, there are allegations that the Chinese citizens are not following quarantine guidelines properly. 

Zahid Hossain, deputy director of the plant, however, claimed that the Covid patients are staying in quarantine in their respective homes. 

"They are foreign nationals and do not interact with the locals normally," he said. 

Dr Niaz Mohammad, civil surgeon of Khulna, said the infected Chinese citizens are in home quarantine and they are doing well now.