2,500 Army members aiding local administration

More than 2,500 members of Bangladesh Army have performed various activities in 61 districts on Thursday to support the local administrations ensure social distancing and keep coronavirus suspects in home quarantine to prevent further transmission of COVID-19.

Sources at the Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) said Bangladesh Army started working at field level under "In aid to Civil Power" since Wednesday, following the required coordination on Tuesday.

The army is operating in 61 districts from local cantonments without setting up outside camps.

Director of ISPR Lt Col Abdullah Ibne Jayed said more than 2,500 members of the army were deployed on Thursday. "A total of 290 teams of the army are working with the local administration to control the coronavirus. They are operating from local cantonments without setting up camps," he said.

Replying to a question, he said the Army is not working in coastal districts where members of Bangladesh Navy are working.

With the District Magistrate, the army is encouraging the people to practice social distancing and practice precautionary measures in divisional and district towns.

Besides, they are also monitoring the compulsory quarantine of overseas returnees, the Director ISPR said.

Coronavirus, first reported in China, has infected 494,695 people globally until Thursday and killed 22,290 of them – a mortality rate of 16 percent, according to Worldometer.

Bangladesh has so far reported 44 cases and confirmed five deaths from COVID-19.

The government has shut down educational institutions and transports while advising the people to maintain social distancing and urging not to go out of home to tackle the further spread of the virus.