Covid-19 deaths rising outside Dhaka

Both Covid-19 cases and deaths have always been high in Dhaka, but more people are now dying from the infectious disease outside the capital, especially in Chattogram.

Dhaka's bordering districts are experiencing a surge in infections as well.

Experts say if infections in these districts cannot be checked, the Indian variant will spread across the country.

On 20 May, for the first time, the number of Covid-19 deaths in Chattogram was more than in Dhaka – 14 and 12 respectively. The remaining 10 of the total 36 deaths were from other divisions, according to the health directorate.

In the last one week (21-27 May), the death toll stood at 196. Of them, 57 died in Chattogram and 53 in Dhaka, followed by 25 in Khulna and 20 in Rajshahi.

Dr Mohammad Mushtuq Husain, an adviser at the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), told The Business Standard that measures taken in Dhaka for the last several weeks to contain coronavirus infections have contributed to a fall in new cases and deaths. But infections are on the rise in different districts because of the increased movement of people who in large numbers had gone to their native villages to celebrate Eid.

Infections have increased in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar and deaths might rise there too, he said, adding that Rajshahi might also see deaths go up in the next two weeks because of an uptick in positive cases.

Civil surgeon of Chattogram Dr Sheikh Fazle Rabbi told TBS that Covid-19 deaths are on the rise because the infected patients come to hospitals late and many are with comorbidities.

"The death rate in Chattogram city is low, but the positivity rate is more than 10%. The infection rate in Rohingya camps has increased after Eid. We will observe the post-Eid coronavirus infection situation for two more weeks," he added.

The national positivity rate is 8%, but it is between 10% and 40% in several bordering districts.

The health directorate has identified 37 districts at high Covid-19 risk.

According to the health directorate, Chapainawabganj and Khulna currently have a positivity rate of over 40%, while it is between 20% and 29% in Sylhet, Jhalakathi, Rajshahi, Natore, Jhenidah, Chuadanga and Faridpur.

Besides, the positivity rate is 10%-19% in 23 more districts, including Dinajpur, Sirajganj, Moulvibazar, Feni, and Rangpur.

Chapainawabganj district administration has declared a complete lockdown following a deterioration in the Covid-19 situation in the district. The lockdown came into effect from Monday midnight and will continue till 30 May.

Chapainawabganj Civil Surgeon Dr Zahid Nazrul Chowdhury told TBS, "The infection rate in Chapainawabganj was 43% on Thursday, which dropped below 50% after a few days owing to the lockdown. We will get the actual picture about the infection situation after 14 more days."

Bangladesh reported 22 more deaths from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours till Thursday morning, taking the total death count to 12,480.

During this period, the fatality rate was 1.57%, according to the data provided by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Meanwhile, 1,292 more people were infected with Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, which took the case count to 7,94,985.

In the preceding 24 hours, the positivity rate was recorded at 8.12% after testing 15,915 samples in 497 labs across the country.

Dhaka, Chattogram and Rajshahi divisions all saw five deaths each, Sylhet three, and Rangpur and Barishal divisions two each.

Dr Mushtuq said infections are on the rise because of illegal entry into border areas. Therefore, everyone returning from India must be quarantined to prevent infections. Local public representatives have to be given this responsibility. Besides, Covid tests will have to be increased in the bordering districts.

Dr Nazmul Islam, spokesperson of the health directorate, said at present, the infection rate at the district level has started increasing and it is a bit high in the border districts.

In this situation, the people have to abide by hygiene rules. Otherwise, infection control will become difficult, he also said.

When asked about a possible lockdown in any other border districts, he said it depends on the situation. The government will take any decision to safeguard public health. And there is no room for the dilemma.