Dhaka city, 4 districts home to 73% Covid-19 cases

The Dhaka city has the highest number of Covid-19 patients, followed by Narayanganj. The rate of infection and death from the novel coronavirus is also the highest in this region.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), around 73 percent of the total coronavirus patients are in the Dhaka division, and half among them are in the Dhaka city. 

The districts of Narayanganj, Gazipur, Kishoreganj and Narsingdi account for the remaining half.

Additional Director General (admin) of the DGHS Prof Nasima Sultana came up with the disclosure in the daily online health bulletin on Wednesday.

She confirmed 10 more deaths from the novel coronavirus and 390 new cases of infection after testing 3,096 samples in the 24-hour period between Tuesday 8am and Wednesday 8am. 

With this, the death toll from the deadly virus rises to 120.

"We tested 3,096 samples in the last 24 hours, and 390 more patients were diagnosed with coronavirus infections among them. The total number of infections has risen to 3,772," she said. 

Of the recently deceased patients, seven were men and three women. "Seven of the dead were from Dhaka, and the remaining three were from Mymensingh, Narayanganj and Tangail," Dr Nasima added.

She also mentioned that among the deceased, three were aged above 60, two between 51 and 60, three between 41 and 50, and two between 21 and 30. 

"Five more patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, raising the number of people who have already recovered to 92," she said.

Confirming that 55 out of 64 districts of the country have reported coronavirus cases, Dr Nasima added, "The Dhaka division has alone reported around 73 percent of the total infections in the country.

"Besides the largest number of infections in the Dhaka city, four other districts have been identified as focal points. Of them, Narayanganj is leading with 499 coronavirus patients and 35 casualties by far. Next in line are Gazipur, Kishoreganj and Narsingdi respectively."

The DGHS official earlier shared details about the Covid-19 situation in Narayanganj. 

In the last 24 hours, among the new cases in the Narayanganj district, 364 were identified in the city alone. "So far, 16 people have made recovery," she said.

The DGHS additional director general also highlighted the fact that the lengthy recovery period is the reason behind the low recovery rate in Bangladesh.

"Those who are affected need a long time for recovery. Even after testing negative, they might show symptoms. Patients need almost a month for complete recovery," she said.  

Till date, a total of 672,917 thermal screenings were conducted at different ports, including 263 at airports, 175 at seaports and 158 at land ports in the last 24 hours.

Director of Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) Brig Gen Md Shahidullah claimed that misinformation is being spread through manipulated images about the protective equipment supplied by the government.

"The CMSD is not supplying any low-quality gloves or masks. We are sending out latex gloves which are high-grade," he said, assuring that the government has enough PPE and masks in stock.