One doctor, 2 nurses tested positive with coronavirus in Bangladesh

One doctor and two nurses have been tested positive with the novel coronavirus in Bangladesh so far.

The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Director Professor Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora made the disclosure in a briefing today.

"Among the total 33 corona infected patients – one is a doctor and two are nurses," she said.

On March 22, a doctor of Delta Medical College and Hospital tested positive with the virus. He treated an elderly coronavirus patient, who died on March 20, in Dhaka's Tolarbag.

After death of the patient, four doctors, 12 nurses and three other supporting staff of the medical college were sent to home quarantine.

Lack of sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) are fueling the concern for the safety of the doctors and nurses as the number of coronavirus infected patient is increasing daily in the country. 

However, in a press briefing today, Health Minister Zahid Malik said, "We do not need that much PPE at this moment."

On March 21, authorities of Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC) Mitford Hospital asked its employees to buy own masks, mentioning that the hospital does not have enough money. 

The High Court on March 22 ordered the government to collect and provide personal protective material to doctors, nurses, hospital staff and patients as soon as possible to combat the spread of coronavirus infection. The court also asked the finance ministry to allocate the required funds to buy the protective material.