Bangladesh confirms 2 more doctors infected with Covid 19 as it reports 4 new cases

Bangladesh has confirmed four new cases of coronavirus today.

"Two doctors are among the newly infected patients. The number of infected people stood at 48 in the country," the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Director Professor Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora made the disclosure in a press briefing today.

"The newly detected patients came into contact with identified patients. One of them are from a cluster. However, we are trying to find out the first infection of this cluster," she added.

IEDCR received 3321 calls and collected 106 samples in the last 24 hours.

The IEDCR director said, "Previously, we used to collect samples of only expatriates, but now as the virus is spreading alarmingly, we are collecting samples from old pneumonia patients, sick elderly citizens, and other suspected people with corona symptoms including the healthcare workers."

Replying to a question, Dr Flora said, "The healthcare workers are at high risk as they stay close to the infected patients. But they are not always infected by the patients, there are some cases of community transmission too."

"We are collecting samples immediately after receiving any call from healthcare workers," she added.

"We are emphasizing on preventing virus spread from the body of any dead coronavirus patient. Those who perform the ritual of the burial wear personal protective equipment and all religious rituals are followed at this time," Dr Flora said further.

Two doctors of Delta Medical College and Hospital have tested positive with Covid-19. They along with other doctors treated Tolarbag's elderly coronavirus patient, who died on March 20. After the death of the patient, four doctors, 12 nurses and three other supporting staff of the medical college were sent to home quarantine. 
  
IEDCR confirmed the first death from coronavirus infection on March 18, second on March 21, third on March 23, fourth on March 24 and fifth death on March 25. 

Globally, 532,692 people have so far got infected with the highly contagious coronavirus and 24,075 have died from it.