Five more tested positive in Bangladesh

Five more people have been tested positive for coronavirus in Bangladesh.

With this, the total number of coronavirus patients stands at 61. No new death was reported in the last 24 hours. So far, six people have died from the virus infection in the country.

Health Minister Zahid Malik made the disclosure in a virtual briefing today.

During the briefing he said "We have enough PPEs and testing kits. Around 14 to 15 places have started testing."

The health minister urged everyone to maintain safety measures to prevent coronavirus. He urged people to wear masks and stay inside.

Zahid Malik said, "We have arranged adequate ventilators at the hospitals and designated specialised ambulances to carry coronavirus patients."

"Various hospitals have opened isolation ward. Some are only dedicated to treating coronavirus. Ambulances are ready in district level to carry COVID-19 patients," he added.

The health minister urged doctors and nurses to stay beside people. He said, "Keep private hospitals, clinics and chambers open for patients otherwise steps will be taken later."

The minister expressed his frustration over false news spreading through the media.

He said, "Media people are working great but some of them are spreading false news. We will take action against them. Spread positive news and follow the instructions of the Prime Minister and the health ministry."

Describing the situation of the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh Zahid Malik said, "The situation will depend on present action, we are alright and our neighbouring countries are alright."

The Director of Management Information System (MIS) Dr Md Habibur Rahman was also present at the virtual briefing. He shared the overall progress of the government's preparation to prevent coronavirus.

He said so far nine labs have been established in Dhaka to test patients with coronavirus symptoms. There are five more labs outside Dhaka. All the divisions of the country will have one lab each within the first week of April and a total of 28 labs will be established all over the country within this month.

He said in the last 24 hours 552 people have been quarantined in the country. And currently, 82 people are in isolation including 14 new cases. 

Dr Md Habibur Rahman said currently Bangladesh has 71,000 testing kits and 64,410 PPEs altogether.

He advised people to treat themselves at home treatment if they have mild a fever, cold and soaring throat. "Take paracetamol for fever and anti-histamine for runny nose and cough," he said.

"People should call the Health Ministry hotline numbers 16263 and 333, before reaching to the IEDCR. The overloaded pressure of incoming calls is hampering the process of reaching out to real COVID-19 patients," said Dr Rahman.