53 Covid-19 positive Ansar members were posted at parliament building

Just as the infection rate is increasing among police personnel, Covid-19 is now spreading among members of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (Village Defence Party). 

As of Tuesday, 161 personnel – including a senior official – have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, and one person has died of the disease. 

Among the infected, 53 were posted at the National Parliament House, while five others were posted at the Nam Bhaban – a residential area for lawmakers.

Bangladesh Ansar and VDP's Deputy Director (Communication and Public Relations) Mehnaz Tabassum Rebin told The Business Standard, "Ansar members are working on the frontlines to tackle the coronavirus crisis. So, they are getting infected.

"A person has already died from the disease. Among the infected, there is a deputy director general, 64 battalion Ansars, envied Ansars, one female Ansar and one nursing assistant."

Sixty-six of the infected are from the Dhaka city.

Among those who tested coronavirus positive, one is at home isolation, while 434 others [due to contact tracing] are in quarantine at various institutions and residential hotels.

Besides, 150 Ansar and VDP members are currently undergoing treatment at different facilities across the country, such as Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Mugda General Hospital, Sajida Hospital and Rajarbagh Police Hospital. 

Eleven Ansar and VDP members have made full recovery so far. 

The deceased Ansar member is Abdul Majid. He was posted at the Bhatara police station in Gulshan. He died of Covid-19 on May 11 at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.