6 IEDCR staff infected with coronavirus, all staff including Dr Flora quarantined

Six employees of the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control And Research (IEDCR) have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Besides, two family members of the staff also got infected from them.

They are currently under treatment at Infectious Diseases Hospital in the capital's Mohakhali area, sources in IEDCR and Health Directorate confirmed it to The Business Standard.

IEDCR initially started testing the coronavirus samples from across the country. Afterwards, the testing facilities have been widened and made available in some other institutions.

After six employees including technologist tested positive, IEDCR Director Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora and all officers have been sent to quarantine, said an officer of the Health Directorate.  

They are currently in quarantine in a building near the IEDCR office and working from there, said an officer wishing anonymity.

Death toll from the deadly virus has risen to 60 in Bangladesh as of Thursday and a total of 1,572 people have been infected so far.

About 2,076,015 people around the world have been infected with the deadly virus and 138,008 deaths were reported globally till date.